Bed

ABSTRACT

A bed includes a mattress set on which a user&#39;s body is placed, an adjustable bedframe to adjust a position or orientation of the mattress set for various sitting and sleeping positions, and a dryer to dry the mattress set. The dryer includes a fan, a filter, and a heater to discharge filtered hot air toward the dryer to reduce mildew and mites. A humidity sensing sheet may be provided to sense a humidity level at different regions or areas of the bed, and the dryer may be controlled to supply hot air to regions of the bed having a higher humidity level than a predetermined humidity level or humidity range.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to KoreanApplication 10-2020-0042008, 10-2020-0042009, 10-2020-0042010,10-2020-0042012, 10-2020-0042015, 10-2020-0042018, 10-2020-0042019,10-2020-0042020, and 10-2020-0042021, all filed on Apr. 7, 2020, whoseentire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bed.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mattresses provide cushioning for a bed and may be a spring mattress, asponge mattress, a memory foam mattress, or include some other elasticmaterial. Traditionally, most modern mattresses are spring mattresses,though memory foam mattresses or toppers are increasing in popularity.Mattresses may also use a combination of elastic materials, such as ahybrid coil spring and memory foam mattress.

In a spring mattress, coil springs may be complicatedly entangled toform a single cushion member. However, complicated coil springmattresses have a disadvantage in that vibrations from an elastic forceof one spring are easily transmitted to another spring such that, whenone person lies down on a side of the mattress, vibration or movementmay be felt by another person sitting or lying on another side of themattress, causing discomfort. Some coil spring mattresses may have aplurality of spring modules arranged in a pocket to reduce an amount ofvibrations or movement propagating from one side of the mattress toanother.

However, such a spring mattresses, including the pocket type mattress,is not readily adjustable in firmness or cushion strength. A desiredfirmness of the mattress may vary according to a user's gender, age, andphysical condition. When two or more users use the same mattress, theusers may have to compromise on a firmness, as different sides orportions of the conventional spring mattress cannot be easily adjustedor customized.

Various studies and efforts have been made to implement a bed in whichfirmness may be set differently according to a position of where theuser lies down or based on a point or portion where a user's bodytouches the mattress.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,693 (granted Mar. 22, 2011) discloses a coil-in-coilspring for a mattress. The coil-in-coil spring has an inner springhaving a weaker elastic strength and an outer spring having a largerelastic strength. The outer spring is longer than the inner spring, andthe inner and outer springs are provided in a pocket. Since the lengthand elastic strength of the inner spring and the outer spring are setdifferently, the firmness differs depending on the magnitude of the loadacting on the upper surface of the coil-in-coil. Accordingly, when theuser lies on the mattress, the amount of contraction or compression ofthe spring varies for each body part where the load acts differently.However, the firmness is the same or similar for every user at a certainweight. The user may not adjust the firmness of the mattress accordingto his particular desire; rather his weight is what determines thefirmness.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,119,478 (granted Sep. 1, 2015) discloses a plungermatrix mattress having a plurality of dual-spring plungers, which haveinner and outer tension springs. The firmness of the mattress may befreely set at different predetermined “zones” or positions according tothe user's selection. However, from the contents disclosed in FIGS. 3Ato 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 9,119,478, a number of zones is limited, and avariable range of the elastic strength is narrow. In addition, since thefirmness is adjusted by hand, the firmness at multiple positions orzones cannot be simultaneously adjusted.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,043 (granted Sep. 4, 2012) discloses a base plateand a support plate rotatably coupled to the base plate. An elasticstrength of a support element is adjusted by a rotation of the supportplate. A firmness may be set within a range by a user in rotating, byhand, the support plate.

In the case of the disclosed coil-in-coil mattress, plunger matrixmattress, and base plate and support plate mattress, sweat or otherbodily fluids may permeate a surface of the mattress that the skintouches, and in summer, when the humidity is high, not only the mattressbut also the sheets may be moist or wet, causing discomfort. If themattress is kept moist or wet for a long time, the mattress is verylikely to be contaminated with mold or mites.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,579 (granted Mar. 26, 2013) discloses a climatecontrolled bed having a thermoelectric device and air distributiondevice to supply hot or cold air to the mattress. However, there is adisadvantage in that hot or cold air is not smoothly or evenly suppliedto the mattress.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein whereappropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternativedetails, features and/or technical background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the bed according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a mattress set according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mattress set;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a mattress set cutalong 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of a bedframe constituting amattress set;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bedframe as viewed from below;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the bedframe in a horizontal state;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the bedframe in which an upper body frame and athigh frame are lifted or tilted upward;

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the bedframe cut along 10-10of FIG. 6 in a tilted state;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a coupling relationship between a firmnessadjuster or cushion module and the bedframe constituting the mattressset according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a partition constituting a mattress setaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a cushion according to anembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the cushion;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the cushion;

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of an upper cover constituting acushion according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an inner case constituting a cushionaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an outer case constituting a cushionaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a coupled state of an outer case, aninner case, and a lead screw constituting a cushion according to anembodiment;

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cushion according to anembodiment cut along 20-20 of FIG. 13 in a state in which no externalforce is applied;

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cushion according to anembodiment cut along 20-20 of FIG. 13 in a state in which an externalforce is applied;

FIG. 22 is a side perspective view of the firmness adjuster according toan embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the firmness adjuster;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a firmness adjuster accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view showing a bottom structure of acushion case constituting the firmness adjuster;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the firmness adjuster according to theembodiment cut along 26-26 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the firmness adjuster according to anembodiment where a bottom case is removed;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a drying module or dryer constituting abed according to an embodiment;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the drying module;

FIG. 30 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drying module takenalong 30-30 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a bottom view of the drying module showing air flow;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a drying module according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a bed according to a anotherembodiment;

FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view of a bed according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of a bed according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 36 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a drying moduleconstituting a bed according to another embodiment taken along 36-36 ofFIG. 33;

FIG. 37 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a drying moduleconstituting a bed according to another embodiment taken along 37-37 ofFIG. 33;

FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view of an air dispenser constitutinga drying module for a bed according to another embodiment;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a dispenser housing taken along 39-39of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the dispenser housing taken along 40-40of FIG. 38;

FIG. 41 is a front perspective view of a moving duct constituting an airdispenser according to an embodiment;

FIG. 42 is a rear perspective view of the moving duct;

FIG. 43 is a side cross-sectional view of the air dispenser when thedrying module is not operated;

FIG. 44 is a side cross-sectional view of the air dispenser in a statein which the moving duct is raised by operating the drying module;

FIG. 45 is a side cross-sectional view of the air dispenser in a statein which the moving duct is lowered by an external force acting on themoving duct;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a bed according to another embodiment;

FIG. 47 is a bottom perspective view of a bed according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 48 is an exploded perspective view of a bed according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 49 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bed taken along 49-49 ofFIG. 46;

FIG. 50 is a longitudinal sectional view of a mattress set constitutinga bed cut along 50-50 in FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view from above of a combination of a bedframeand a guard frame constituting a drying module for a bed according toanother embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a combination of the bedframe and aguide frame as viewed from below;

FIG. 53 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a motion generator takenalong 53-53 of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a longitudinal sectional view of the motion generator takenalong 54-54 of FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view showing an operation of a bedframeconstituting a drying module for a bed according to another embodiment;

FIG. 56 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bedframe cut along 56-56of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of a seating plate constituting a mattressset for a bed according to an embodiment;

FIG. 58 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the seating platecut along 58-58 of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the seating platecut along 58-58 of FIG. 57 in a tilted state by the bedframe;

FIG. 60 is an exploded perspective view of a blowing assemblyconstituting the drying module of the bed according to an embodiment;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a bed according to another embodiment;

FIG. 62 is a bottom perspective view of a bed according to anembodiment;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a drying module constituting a bedaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 64 is a perspective view showing an inside of the drying module;

FIG. 65 is an exploded perspective view of the drying module;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a discharge grill constituting a dryingmodule according to an embodiment;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a filter constituting a drying moduleaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of an edge frame constituting a dryingmodule according to an embodiment;

FIG. 69 is a cutaway perspective view of the edge frame cut along 69-69of FIG. 68;

FIG. 70 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of portion A in FIG. 69;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of an air dispenser constituting a dryingmodule according to an embodiment;

FIG. 72 is a cut-away perspective view of the air dispenser cut along72-72 of FIG. 71;

FIG. 73 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the drying modulecut along 73-73 of FIG. 64;

FIG. 74 is a perspective view of a base cover constituting a dryingmodule according to an embodiment;

FIG. 75 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a base cover takenalong 75-75 in FIG. 74;

FIG. 76 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a bed taken along76-76 of FIG. 61;

FIG. 77 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a bed taken along77-77 of FIG. 61;

FIG. 78 is a plan view of a humidity sensing sheet provided in amattress set for a bed according to an embodiment;

FIG. 79 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling humidity of abed according to an embodiment; and

FIGS. 80 to 84 are display screens of a humidity controller shown in aprocess of performing a method for controlling the humidity of a bedaccording to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bed 10 according to an embodiment mayinclude a mattress set MS and a drying module or dryer 50 on which themattress set MS is placed. The drying module 50 may be configured toblow air, which may be optionally heated, to the mattress set MS to drythe mattress set MS. The mattress set MS may be lifted and separatedfrom the drying module 50, and at least a part of the mattress set MSmay be tilted or angled to be adjustable.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the mattress set MS may include at least onetopper 12 (e.g., an elastic foam layer such as memory or latex foam ormattress) on which a user may lie and may further include a cushionmodule or firmness module 20 on which the topper 12 is provided. Thecushion module 20 may have a plurality of cushions C arranged inseparate sections or firmness adjusters M1. A firmness of the cushions Cin a same firmness adjuster M1 may be the same or similar, and a usermay adjust a firmness of a desired area on the bed 10 by controlling thefirmness adjuster M1 corresponding to the desired area. When the usercontrols the firmness of a particular firmness adjuster M1, a firmnessof all of the cushions C in the particular firmness adjuster M1 may besimultaneously adjusted.

The cushion module 20 may be provided on top of a bedframe 30, which mayhave an adjustable orientation or posture. The mattress set MS mayfurther include a partition 40 provided between certain adjacentfirmness adjusters M1 where an orientation of the bedframe 30 may beadjusted.

A safe guard 13 may surround an edge of the bedframe 30. The mattressset MS may further include a bed cover or cover sheet 11 (e.g., a fittedsheet or mattress protector) surrounding at least the topper 12 andoptionally the safe guard 13, as shown. The cushion module 20 and topper12 may collectively be referred to as a mattress, while the cushionmodule 20, topper 12, bedframe 30, and safe guard 13 may be bundledtogether by the bed cover 11 to be referred to as a mattress set MS. Asize of the bed cover 11 may be large enough to completely surround thecushion module 20, topper 12, bedframe 30, and safe guard 13, includingthe bottom of the mattress set MS.

The bed cover 11 may completely surround a bottom surface of thebedframe 30, and a plurality of guide holes 111 may be formed on thebottom surface of the bed cover 11 so as to allow air blown by the dryermodule 50 to pass through to the cushion module 20 and topper 12.Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to an arrangement of themattress set MS and/or bedframe 30. Other arrangements are described inco-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 17/089,910 (Attorney Docket No.HI-1757) filed on Nov. 5, 2020, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

Hereinafter, “firmness,” “strength”, or “cushion strength” may beunderstood to mean a degree of softness or hardness of the bed 10. Thefirmness of the bed that a user prefers may vary depending on a user'sage, physical condition, or simply taste or preference. For this reason,the bed 10 according to embodiments disclosed herein is characterized inthat a user may adjust the firmness of the bed through manipulation ofthe cushion module 20.

The bed cover 11 may be made of or include a soft or elastic material(e.g., a fitted sheet) and may maintain a taut state when wrapped aroundthe topper 12, cushion module 20, bedframe 30, and safe guard 13. Whenthe bed 10 is inclined or bent according to an operation of the bedframe30, the bed cover 11 may be stretched, and when the bedframe 30 returnsto a flat or default state, the bed cover 11 may be contracted back to aprevious state. The user's body may be placed on the bed cover 11 and/orthe topper 12. The topper 12 may include a memory foam mattress or layerthat is depressed by the user's weight and returns to an original statewhen the weight is removed.

The cushion module 20 may be an assembly or array of cushions C arrangedin a grid form from a head of the bed 10 to a foot of the bed 10. Thecushions C may extend vertically from a bottom of the bed 10 toward atop of the bed 10. The cushions C may have a cylindrical shape, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited. A set of cushions C may beprovided in a cushion case 21, and such a set, along with a drive devicedescribed later, may define the firmness adjuster M1. The firmnessadjusters M1 may be arranged in an array or grid form and each firmnessadjuster M1 may define an area or region of the bed 10 whose firmnessmay be independently adjusted.

As an optional alternative, there may be some cushions C not provided ina cushion case 21 and coupled to the bedframe 30 (e.g., at a head orfoot of the bedframe 30). In such an embodiment, a tension of thecushions C may be independently adjustable by hand, or each individualcushion C may have its own drive or motor. Embodiments disclosed hereinare not limited.

The partition 40 may be interposed between certain adjacent firmnessadjusters M1 and placed at a hinge point of the bedframe 30. A distancebetween adjacent cushions C on opposite sides of the hinge point may belarger than a distance between adjacent cushions C elsewhere to minimizeinterference between cushions C at the hinge point during an operationof the bedframe 30. When a user's body part is placed at or near thehinge point, the partition 40 may provide support so that the user mayfeel more comfortable while lying down.

The safe guard 13 may prevent a user's leg or knee from colliding withthe cushion module 20 or bedframe 30, which may cause pain or injury.The safe guard 13 may be formed of a soft or elastic material such as asponge, latex foam, or memory foam.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the bedframe 30 may include a base or bottomframe 35 placed on an installation surface (e.g., a floor, box spring,platform, or larger bed frame), and a seating frame 39 on which thecushion module 20 is placed. Alternatively, the base frame 35 may be aplate. A support frame or connection bar 36 may connect the base frame35 and the seating frame 39.

The seating frame 39 may include a plurality of frames or supportsconfigured to move, pivot, and/or incline relative to each other. Theplurality of frames may be hinged to each other, but embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited. For example, the seating frame 39 mayinclude an upper body or main frame 31 configured to support a user'supper body or torso, a hip or bottom frame 32 configured to support auser's hip area, a thigh or upper leg frame 33 configured to support auser's thigh or upper leg, and a calf or lower leg frame 34 configuredto support a user's calf or lower leg. The upper body, hip, thigh, andcalf frames 31, 32, 33, and 34 may alternatively be referred to as upperbody, hip, thigh, and calf supports. The upper body frame 31 mayalternatively be referred to as a torso frame 31.

The seating frame 39 is not limited to upper body, hip, thigh, and calfframes 31, 32, 33, and 24. For example, there may be an optionalheadrest or neck and shoulder support configured to support a user'shead, neck, and/or shoulders. Such an optional headrest may move, pivot,or incline with respect to the upper body frame 31. As another optionaladdition, there may be a lumber or lower torso support configured tosupport a user's lumbar and which may move, pivot, or incline relativeto the upper body frame 31 and the hip frame 32.

A front or upper end of the upper body frame 31 (at a head of the bed10) may be defined as a head of the bedframe 30, and a rear or lower endof the calf frame 34 (at a foot of the bed 10) may be defined as a footof the bedframe 30. Here, a front-rear direction may be a directionextending between the head and foot of the bed 10. A rear end of theupper body frame 31 may be tiltably or rotatably connected (e.g.,hinged) to a front end of the hip frame 32, and a front end of the thighframe 33 may be tilted or rotatably connected (e.g., hinged) to a rearend of the hip frame 32. A rear end of the thigh frame 33 and a frontend of the calf frame 34 may be connected to be relatively rotatable(e.g., via a shaft, pin, or hinge structure).

The upper body frame 31 may include an outer frame 311, a plurality offirst plates or bars 312, and a plurality of second plates or bars 313.The first bars 312 may alternatively be referred to as left-right bars,upper bars, or cushion seating plates. The second bars 313 mayalternatively be referred to as front-rear bars, lower bars, orconnection bars.

The outer frame 311 may have a rectangular shape, a stadium shape, or acurved rectangular shape, and may define a front end (or head), a rearend, and both side ends (i.e., left and right ends corresponding to leftand right sides of a lying human body) of the upper body frame 31. Theplurality of second bars 313 may connect the front end and the rear endof the outer frame 311 and may be spaced apart from each other in theleft-right direction of the outer frame 311. The plurality of first bars312 may connect the left end and the right end of the outer frame 311and may be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction ofthe outer frame 311. Accordingly, the plurality of second bars 313 andthe plurality of first bars 312 may be arranged to be perpendicular toeach other in a grid or lattice structure.

At the left and right corners of the front end of the outer frame 311, apair of vertical bars 314 may extend in the vertical direction, and thepair of vertical bars 314 may be attached to the horizontal bar 315. Aninclined bar 316 may extend from the lower end of each of the pair ofvertical bars 314 to the rear end of the outer frame 311.

The pair of vertical bars 314 may transmit a vertical load applied tothe outer frame 311 to the installation surface, thereby preventing theouter frame 311 from bending due to the vertical load. The vertical loadmay be a combined load or weight of a user's upper body, firmnessmodules M1 seated on the first bars 312, and a partial load of thetopper 12.

The horizontal bar 315 may prevent the lower ends of the pair ofvertical bars 314 from being bent in a direction away from each other orin a direction closer to each other due to the vertical load. Theinclined bar 316 may prevent the pair of vertical bars 314 from bendingforward or backward of the bedframe 30 due to the vertical load.

A frame portion or bar may function as a hinge axis or rotation centerof the outer frame 311. A rotation center of the upper body frame 31 maybe defined as an upper hinge axis. The upper hinge axis may be definedby a bar at a rear end of the outer frame 311 of the upper body frame31.

An upper or front drive or actuator 37 may be mounted on a bottomsurface of the outer frame 311 to rotate the upper body frame 31 aroundthe upper hinge axis. The upper actuator 37 may include a drive 371(e.g., a motor or linear actuator) and a plunger 372 that is extended orcontracted by the drive 371. When the plunger 372 extends forward towarda front end of the upper body frame 31, the upper body frame 31 mayrotate upward, and when the plunger 372 is retracted backward toward therear end of the upper body frame 31, the upper body frame 31 may rotatedownward.

A fastening flange may fix the upper actuator 37 to a bottom of theseating frame 39. The fastening flange may include a plunger fasteningflange 317 to which a front end of the plunger 372 may be rotatablyconnected, and a driving fastening flange 318 to which a rear end of thedrive 371 is rotatably connected.

The plunger fastening flange 317 may be formed on the bottom surface ofthe upper body frame 31, and the driving fastening flange 318 may beformed on the bottom surface of the hip frame 32. The plunger fasteningflange 317 may be formed at a higher position than the driving fasteningflange 318. A horizontal line (or horizontal plane) passing through theplunger fastening flange 317 and a horizontal line (or horizontal plane)passing through the driving fastening flange 318 may be spaced apart bya predetermined distance in the vertical direction.

The plunger 372 may be provided to be inclined while the seating frame39 may extend horizontally. When the plunger 372 is extended, the upperbody frame 31 may rotate upward so as to bend with respect to the hipframe 32. If the plunger 372 is retracted in a horizontal state, theupper body frame 31 may not rotate smoothly upward.

The hip frame 32, like the upper body frame 31, may include an outerframe 321, at least one first bar or cushion seating plates 322, and aplurality of second bars or connection bars 323. The outer frame 321 mayhave a rectangular shape by four bars. A plurality of upper hinge shaftbrackets 324 may be spaced apart from each other in the left and rightdirections on a bottom surface of a front end of the outer frame 321(FIG. 7). A rear end of the upper body frame 31 may be rotatablyconnected to the front end of the hip frame 32 via the plurality ofupper hinge shaft brackets 324.

The hip frame 32 may further include a load support bar 328 connecting abottom of the front end and a bottom of the rear end of the outer frame321. The driving fastening flange 318 may be connected to the front endof the load support bar 328. When the upper body frame 31 is tiltedupward, the load support bar 328 may transmit a vertical load to theupper actuator 37 to prevent the driving fastening flange 318 from beingpushed backward.

A lower or rear drive or actuator 38 may be provided on the lower sideof the hip frame 32 so that the rear end of the thigh frame 33 may bepivoted. Like the upper actuator 37, the lower actuator 38 may include adrive 381 and a plunger 382. A drive fastening flange 326 to which thedrive 381 of the lower actuator 38 is rotatably connected may beprovided at a bottom surface of the front end of the hip frame 32. Aplunger fastening flange 327 to which an end of the plunger 382 of thelower actuator 38 is rotatably connected may be provided at the bottomsurface of the front end portion of the thigh frame 33.

The drive fastening flange 326 may be positioned higher than the plungerfastening flange 327. The upper actuator 37 may be mounted on the bottomof the seating frame 29 such that the plunger 372 is inclined upward,and the lower actuator 38 may be mounted on the bottom of the seatingframe 39 such that the plunger 382 is inclined downward.

The support frame 36 may extend to the bottom of the hip frame 32, andthe lower end of the support frame 36 may be connected to the base frame35. The base frame 35 may have a substantially rectangular shape and mayhave rounded corners, but a shape of the base frame 35 is not limited.

The support frame 36 may include a pair of frames extending downward atleft and right sides (or alternatively front and rear sides) of the hipframe 32. The pair of frames of the support frame 36 may be referred toas a left support frame and a right support frame. The lower end of theleft support frame may be connected to the left side of the base frame35, and the lower end of the right support frame may be connected to theright side of the base frame 35. The support frame 36 and the base frame35 may be formed integrally as one body, but embodiments disclosedherein are not limited.

The bottom surface of the support frame 36 may pass through or lie alonga same horizontal surface as the bottom surface of the base frame 35.When the bedframe 30 is placed on the installation surface, the supportframe 36 and base frame 35 may prevent the bedframe 30 from shaking inthe left-right direction. The support frame 36 may be further providedon the bottom of the hip frame 32 corresponding to the inner space ofthe base frame 35.

An optional frame having the same shape as the support frame 36 may beprovided on the left edge and the right edge of the hip frame 32,respectively. When a support frame having the same shape as the supportframe 36 is further provided at the left and right edges of the hipframe 32, a vertical load acting from the topper 12 and the cushionmodule 20 may be transmitted to the installation surface, and bending orsagging of the left and right ends of the hip frame 32 may be reduced orprevented. An optional support frame having the same or similar shape asthe support frame 36 may be formed at the left and right side ends ofthe thigh frame 33 and the left and right side ends of the calf frame34, respectively.

A support structure defined by the vertical bar 314 and the horizontalbar 315 formed at the front end of the upper body frame 31 may be formedin the same manner at the rear end of the calf frame 34. A plurality oflower hinge shaft brackets 325 may be formed on the bottom surface ofthe front end of the hip frame 32. Like the plurality of upper hingeshaft brackets 324, the plurality of lower hinge shaft brackets 325 maybe spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction of thehip frame 32.

A frame or bar defining a front end of the thigh frame 33 may passthrough the lower hinge shaft bracket 325 so that the front end of thethigh frame 33 is at the rear end of the hip frame 32. The bar of thefront end of the thigh frame 33 may be a rotation center of the thighframe 33 and define as a lower hinge axis.

The thigh frame 33 may have a shape substantially symmetrical with thehip frame 32, but a shape of the thigh frame 33 is not limited.Front-rear lengths of the hip frame 32 and thigh frame 33 may beconfigured based on lengths of a human thigh and hip. For example, thethigh frame 33 may be longer than the hip frame 32 in the front-reardirection.

The thigh frame 33, like the hip frame 32, may have a rectangular outerframe 331, at least one first bar or cushion seating plate 332 extendingacross left and right ends of the outer frame 331, and a plurality ofsecond or connection bars 333 connecting the front end and the rear endof the outer frame 331.

The plunger fastening flange 327 may be provided on the bottom of thefront end of the thigh frame 33, and the plunger fastening flange 327may be provided with the end of the plunger 382 of the lower actuator38. A plurality of connection flanges 334 may be formed on the left andthe right sides of the rear end of the thigh frame 33.

Like the upper body frame 31, the calf frame 34 may include an outerframe 341, at least one first bar or cushion seating plate 342, and atleast one second or connection bar 343. The outer frame 341 may have asubstantially rectangular shape, and one or more cushion member seatingplates 342 may be provided.

A plurality of first bars 342 may be provided on upper surfaces of leftand right ends of the outer frame 341, and may be spaced apart in thefront-rear direction of the calf frame 34. A plurality of second bars343 may connect a front end and a rear end of the outer frame 341 andmay be spaced apart in the left-right direction of the calf frame 34.

A connection flange 344 having the same shape as the connection flange334 formed on the rear end of the thigh frame 33 may be formed at thefront end of the calf frame 34. The connection flange 334 of the thighframe 33 and the connection flange 344 of the calf frame 34 may berotatably connected.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, FIG. 8 shows a flat or default state of the bed10 where all of the upper body frame 31, the hip frame 32, the thighframe 33, and the calf frame 34 lie along a same horizontal plane, whileFIGS. 9-10 show an adjusted state where both the upper body frame 31 andthe calf frame 33 are pivoted relative to the hip frame 43. FIG. 9 showsa state in which the plunger 372 of the upper actuator 37 is extended orelongated, while FIG. 10 shows the plunger 382 of the lower actuator 38is extended or elongated.

The hip frame 32 may be maintained in a horizontal state, and a load (orrotational moment) transmitted from the upper body frame 31 to the upperactuator 37, in addition to a load transmitted from the thigh frame 33to the lower actuator 38, may be transmitted to the hip frame 32. Twosymmetrical rotational moments transmitted to the hip frame 32 may becountered or balanced by the base frame 35, which may reduce apossibility of the front or rear end of the base frame 35 being liftedup off the installation surface. A length of the base frame 35 may beconfigured to prevent the base frame 35 and thus the bed 10 from fallingor tilting.

Referring to FIG. 11, the cushion module 20 may be an assembly offirmness adjusters M1, each firmness adjuster M1 having an array ofcushions C arranged in a cushion case 21. The cushion cases 21 may beplaced on the first bars (also referred to as cushion seating plates)312, 322, 332 and 342 provided on the upper surface of the bedframe 30.The first bars 312, 322, 332, and 342 may be provided at a center of thebottom of the cushion cases 21, but embodiments disclosed herein are notlimited.

A fastening member S (e.g., screw or bolt) may be inserted into thefirst bars 312, 322, 332, 342 through a bottom of the cushion case 21 sothat the cushion case 21 and cushions C may be coupled to the bedframe30. A through hole through which the fastening member S passes may beformed in a center of a bottom of both side ends of the cushion case 21.In addition, a fastening hole 332 a through which the fastening member Spasses may be formed at left and right edges of the first bars312,322,332,342, so that both ends of the cushion case 21 may be fixedto the first bars 312, 322, 332, and 342. In addition, an optionaladhesive member (e.g., double-sided tape) may be provided on the uppersurface of first bars 312,322,332,342 so that a bottom of the cushioncase 21 may be further secured to the first bars 312,322,332,342.

Referring to FIG. 12, at least one partition or elongated cushion 40according to an embodiment may be interposed between adjacent firmnessmodules M1 to prevent interference between adjacent cushions C onopposite sides of a hinge axis of the bedframe 30 during an operation ofthe bedframe 30. The partition 40 may be provided at a hinge axisbetween adjacent frames of the bedframe 30.

There may be a plurality of partitions 40 at an upper hinge axis servingas a rotation center of the upper body frame 31, a lower hinge axisserving as a rotation center of the thigh frame 33, and at a calf hingeaxis serving as a rotation center of the calf frame 34. Alternatively orin addition thereto, the calf frame 34 may rest on the relative rotatingconnection flanges 334, 344 (FIG. 7).

The partition 40 provided between the upper body frame 31 and the hipframe 32 may be defined as a first partition. The partition 40 providedbetween the hip frame 32 and the thigh frame 33 may be defined as asecond partition. The partition 40 provided between the thigh frame 33and the calf frame 34 may be defined as a third partition.

When the upper body frame 31 is tilted upward, the cushion C at the rearend of the upper body frame 31 may approach an upper portion of thecushion C at the front end of the hip frame 32, and without a partition40 therebetween, may contact the cushion C such that the cushions Cbecome deformed and compressed. Similarly, when the thigh frame 33 istilted upward, adjacent cushions C (one at the front end of the thighframe 33 and one at the rear end of the hip frame 32) may approach eachother, and, without a partition 40 therebetween, may contact each otherto be compressed. By providing the first partition 40 between the upperbody frame 31 and the hip frame 32 and the second partition 40 betweenthe hip frame 32 and the thigh frame 33, during a bending motion of theupper body frame 31 and/or the thigh frame 33, the cushions C maycontact, press, and deform the partitions 40 instead of other cushionsC.

The third partition 40 may have a thickness greater in the front-reardirection than a gap between a cushion C at a rear end of the thighframe 33 and a cushion C at a front end of the calf frame 34. When thethird partition 40 is sandwiched between the thigh frame 33 and the calfframe 34, the third partition 40 may be maintained in a compressed statewhen no external force is applied and/or the bedframe 30 is in thedefault state (i.e., a horizontal or flat state).

As the thigh frame 33 is tilted upward, the distance between thecushions C adjacent to the front and rear ends of the third partition 40may increase. As a result, the third partition 40 may expand by arestoring force such that a front-rear thickness increases toward anatural thickness of the third partition 40. Since the rear end of thethigh frame 33 and the front end of the calf frame 34 may rotaterelative to each other, a shape of the third partition 40 may betransformed or extended into a fan or wedge shape having a largerthickness at an upper end than at a lower end.

Each partition 40 may be made of the same material as the topper 12 orthe safe guard 13 (e.g., memory foam or latex foam), and thus a shapedeformation may occur when an external force is applied. The partition40 may return to an original state when the external force is removed.

The partition 40 may include a body 41, a plurality of slits 42 formedon an upper end of the body 41, and a plurality of fins 32 definedbetween the plurality of slits 42. The plurality of slits 42 may beformed at the upper end of the body 41 to facilitate a deformation ofthe upper end of the partition 40. The plurality of slits 42 and fins 43may extend in the longitudinal direction of the partition 40 (a widthdirection or left-right direction of the bedframe 30), and the slits 42and fins 43 may alternate with each other along a thickness direction ofthe partition 40 (a length direction or front-rear direction of thebedframe 30.

Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the cushions C may have a cylindrical orround shape, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a shapeof the cushions C. For example, the cushions C may alternatively berectangular or have polygonal cross-sections. Each cushion C may includean outer case 91, an inner case 92, an outer spring 93, an inner spring94, an upper cover 97, a lead screw 99, and a transmission gear 990. Thecushion C may further include an inner spring cover 95, an outer springcover 98, and a buffer or inner cover 96.

The outer and inner springs 93 and 94 may each be or include a coilspring wound in a spiral or helix shape, but embodiments disclosedherein are not limited. For example, the outer and inner springs 93 and94 may alternatively be accordion springs or made of a cushion or otherelastic material.

The inner spring 94 may have a diameter smaller than that of the outerspring 93 and may have an elastic modulus or a spring constant smallerthan that of the outer spring 93. An elastic strength of the innerspring 94 may be set or predetermined to be smaller than an elasticstrength of the outer spring 93. The elastic strength or spring constantmay be inversely proportional to an amount of deformation. For example,an amount of deformation of the inner spring 94 may be greater than thatof the outer spring 93 with respect to a same applied axial force. As analternative, the elastic strength or spring constant of the inner spring94 and the outer spring 93 may be set or predetermined to be equal toeach other.

A thread may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the leadscrew 99, and the transmission gear 990 may be coupled to a lower end ofthe lead screw 99. The lead screw 99 may be rotatably coupled to acenter of a bottom of the outer case 91, and the inner case 92 may bescrewed onto the outer peripheral surface of the lead screw 99. An innersurface of the inner case 92 may be optionally formed with threads tofacilitate coupling to the lead screw 99. By a rotation of the leadscrew 99, the inner case 92 may rise or descend along the lead screw 99.

The inner spring cover 95 may surround the inner spring 94 and mayinclude a thin fabric or an elastic material, but is not limitedthereto. A shape of the inner spring cover 95 may be deformed accordingto an elastic deformation of the inner spring 94 and restored based on arestoration of the inner spring 94.

The outer spring cover 98 may surround the outer spring 93 and may bemade of a same material as the inner spring cover 95, but embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited to materials of the inner and outerspring covers 98 and 95. Like the inner spring cover 95, the outerspring cover 98 may be deformed or restored based on a deformation orrestoration of the outer spring 93.

The buffer 96 may be mounted on a bottom surface of the upper cover 92,and an upper end of the inner spring 94 may contact a bottom surface ofthe buffer 96 to absorb shock and noise. For example, when the innercase 92 is lowered to a point where the upper end of the inner spring 94is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the upper cover 97, when avertical force acts or changes on the cushion C, the buffer 96 mayabsorb noise generated when the inner spring 94 hits a bottom surface ofthe upper cover 97.

Referring to FIG. 16, the upper cover 97 may have a circular orpolygonal cover plate or top plate 971, and a cover sleeve 972 extendingdownward from an edge of the cover plate 971. A buffer seating recess971 a may be formed on the lower surface of the cover plate 971 to bestepped upward. A bottom surface of the cover plate 971 corresponding toan edge of a buffer seating portion or recess 971 a and an inner edge ofthe cover sleeve 972 may be defined as a spring seating portion orrecess 971 b. The upper end of the outer spring 93 may be seated on thespring seating recess 971 b.

Referring to FIG. 17, the inner case 92 may include a base plate 921having a circular or polygonal shape. A base sleeve 922 may extendupward from an edge of the base plate 921, and a screw boss 923 mayextend upward from a center of the upper surface of the base plate 921.

The base sleeve 922 may have a plurality of guide protrusions 927protruding in a radial direction, and the plurality of guide protrusions927 may be spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the basesleeve 922. Each guide protrusion 927 may be formed by bending andextending the base sleeve 922. The guide protrusion 927 may include apair of side surfaces or walls extending in a radial direction of thebase plate 921 and facing each other, and a front surface or wallconnecting the pair of side portions.

A screw hole 924 may be formed inside the screw boss 923, and a screwthread 925 may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of thescrew hole 924. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 926 may extend radiallyoutward from an outer circumferential surface of the screw boss 923. Alower end of the inner spring 94 may be provided in a space betweenouter ends of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 926 and an innercircumferential surface of the base sleeve 922. The plurality ofreinforcing ribs 926 may reinforce a strength of the screw boss 923 andalso reduce or prevent a movement of the inner spring 94 in the radialdirection.

One or more holes or slits 928 may be formed in the base plate 921 atpositions circumferentially between sides of the reinforcing ribs 926.The holes 928 may be formed to be closer to an outer surface of thescrew boss 923 than outer ends of the reinforcing ribs 926, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

Referring to FIG. 18, the outer case 91 may include a bottom plate 911having a circular or polygonal shape and a case sleeve 912 extendingupward from an upper surface of the bottom plate 911. The case sleeve912 may have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the bottom plate 911.

A spring flange 913 may be bent and extended upward from an outer edgeof the bottom plate 911, and the spring flange 913 may radially surroundthe case sleeve 912. The upper surface of the bottom plate 911 betweenthe spring flange 913 and the case sleeve 912 may be defined as a springmounting space or recess 914 in which a lower end of the outer sleeve 93may be seated or mounted.

A pair of guide ribs 915 may extend radially inward from an innercircumferential surface of the case sleeve 912 to define a guide space.The guide ribs 915 in the pair of guide ribs 915 may be spaced apart ina circumferential direction of the case sleeve 912. A plurality of pairsof guide ribs 915 may further be spaced apart from each other along thecircumferential direction.

The guide protrusions 927 of the inner case 92 (FIG. 18) may be fittedin the guide space between the pair of guide ribs 915. A position andnumber of guide spaces formed by the pair of guide ribs 915 maycorrespond to a position and a number of the guide protrusions 927.

A screw hole 916 a may be formed in a center of the bottom plate 911. Asupport sleeve 916 may extend upward at an edge of the screw hole 916 a.The lead screw 99 may pass through the screw hole 916 a.

A plurality of air holes or slots 917 may be spaced apart from eachother in a circumferential direction in the bottom plate 911. Each ofthe plurality of air holes 917 may be formed in a long hole or arc shapethat curves to be round in the circumferential direction of the bottomplate 911, but a size or shape of the air hole 917 is not limitedthereto. The air holes 917 may be provided at positions that arecircumferentially between adjacent pairs of guide ribs 915 and/or atpositions radially inward from the guide ribs 915, but embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited. Air discharged upward from a dryermodule 50 described later may pass through the air holes 917 to dry thecushions C and/or the topper 12.

A plurality of vibration preventing ribs 918 may protrude from an uppersurface of the bottom plate 911 at an inner edge of the case sleeve 912.The vibration prevention ribs 918 may protrude radially inward from aninner peripheral surface of the case sleeve 912 toward a center of thebottom plate 911. A side of the vibration prevention rib 918 facing thecenter of the bottom plate 911 may be curved or rounded, and thevibration prevention rib 918 may have a semicircle or elliptical shape,but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

Referring to FIG. 19, the pair of guide ribs 915 may contact both sidesurfaces of the guide protrusions 927 formed on the inner case 92. Theguide protrusion 927 may be supported by the guide rib 915 to prevent orreduce a spinning movement of the inner case 92 in the circumferentialdirection when the inner case 92 is raised or lowered. When the innercase 92 descends to a bottom surface of the outer case 91, the vibrationprevention rib 918 may contact an outer circumferential surface of theinner case 92 to prevent or reduce rattling of the inner case 92 alongthe radial direction and reduce or prevent noise.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the lead screw 99 may be rotated in aclockwise or counterclockwise direction to adjust a height of the innercase 92. In a basic state in which no external force is applied, theupper end of the inner spring 94 may or may not touch the buffer 96depending on the height of the inner case 92.

When an external force in the vertical direction acts on the uppersurface of the cushion C, the outer cover 97 may descend and compressthe outer spring 93 and the inner spring 94 simultaneously, or, theouter spring 93 may be first compressed before the inner spring 94 andouter spring 93 are compressed together.

A firmness or cushion strength of the cushion C may be adjusted byadjusting a height of the inner spring 94. When the lead screw 99 isrotated so as to raise the inner spring 94 to have a height similar to aheight of the outer spring 93, when a user sits on the bed, both theouter and inner springs 93 and 94 may be compressed. As a weight of theuser acts on both the outer and inner springs 93 and 94, a deformationamount of each of the outer and inner springs 93 and 94 may be less thanif all of the weight of the user acted on only one of the outer or innersprings 93 and 94. When the outer and inner springs 93 and 94 arecompressed at a same time, the user may perceive an increased firmness.When the lead screw 99 is rotated so as to lower the inner spring 93 sothat a height of a top of the inner spring 94 is significantly below aheight of the top of the outer spring 93, the weight of the user may acton the outer spring 93, a deformation amount of the outer spring 93 maybe greater, and the user may perceive a decreased firmness. The uppercover 97 and/or inner cover 96 may prevent or reduce an uncomfortablefeeling from a protruding end of the lead screw 99 when the inner spring94 is lowered.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the cushion module 20 may include aplurality of firmness adjusters M1 each having a cushion case 21 and aplurality of cushions C arranged in the cushion case 21. The Figuresshow that one firmness adjuster M1 may have eight cushions C, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited to eight cushions C perfirmness adjuster M1. The firmness adjuster M1 may include a drive 24(e.g., motor or actuator) (See FIG. 25) to collectively and equallyadjust an elastic strength of the cushions C.

There may be a plurality of firmness adjusters M1 corresponding tovarious areas of the bed. For example, there may be one firmnessadjuster M1 for each of the upper frame 31, hip frame 32, thigh frame33, and calf frame 34. As another example, there may be two firmnessadjusters M1 for each of the upper, hip, thigh, and calf frames 31-34,one for each of the left and right sides of the upper, hip, thigh, andcalf fames 31-34. Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to anarrangement of firmness adjusters M1.

The cushion case 21 may include a bottom or outer case 23 and an upperor inner case 22. The drive 24 may be provided in a motor or drivehousing 235, which may be a recess or cavity formed in a bottom of thebottom case 23 (FIG. 24). The drive 24 may be provided between an uppersurface of the bottom case 23 and a bottom surface of the upper case 22.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the drive 24 may include a drive motor.For convenience of description, the drive 24 will be hereinafterreferred to as a motor 24. A gear assembly 25 may be rotatably moveablevia the motor 24. For example, FIG. 25 shows that a rotation shaft mayextend from the motor 24 to couple to the gear assembly 25 so that arotation force of the motor 24 is transmitted to the gear assembly 25.

The upper case 22 may include an outer frame or wall 221 formed in arectangular shape with a predetermined height, and an inner plate 222formed inside the outer wall 221. The inner plate 222 may be provided apredetermined distance upward from a lower end of the outer wall 221 todivide the inner space of the upper case 22 into an upper space and alower space. The gear assembly 25 may be provided in the lower space ofthe upper case 22, and the plurality of cushions C may be provided inthe upper space of the upper case 22.

A plurality of gear shafts 225 may protrude from the bottom surface ofthe inner plate 222 so that gears G to be described later may berotatably mounted. A plurality of partition plates or walls 223 mayprotrude from the upper surface of the inner plate 222 to divide theupper space of the outer frame 221 into a plurality of small spaces inwhich the cushions C may be provided.

The plurality of partition plates 223 may include a plurality ofhorizontal or first partition plates 223 extending in the widthdirection of the upper case 22 and arranged at equal intervals in thelength direction, and at least one vertical or second partition plate223 extending in the length direction of the upper case 22. The secondpartition plate 223 may divide the upper space of the outer frame 221into left and right sides.

A number of second partition plates 223 may be determined according to anumber of rows (extending in the front-rear direction) in which theplurality of cushions C are arranged, and the number of first partitionplates 223 may be determined according to a number of rows or columns(extending in the left-right direction) in which the plurality ofcushions C are arranged.

A support sleeve or flange 224 may extend in each of a plurality ofsmall spaces partitioned by the first and second partition plates 223,and a through hole 224 a may be provided in the inner plate 222 at aninner side of the support sleeve 224. The support sleeve 224 and thepartition plates 223 may have a same or similar height, and an innerdiameter of the support sleeve 224 may correspond to an outer diameterof the cushion C.

The through hole 224 a may have a diameter smaller than an innerdiameter of the support sleeve 224. A seating surface 224 b may beformed on the upper surface of the inner plate 222 at an inner bottom ofthe support sleeve 224 to support an outer edge of the cushion C.

A diameter of the through hole 224 a may have a size corresponding to orslightly bigger than that of an outer diameter of the transmission gear990 so that when the cushion C is seated inside the support sleeve 224on the seating surface 224 b, the transmission gear 990 may be exposedthrough or pass through the through hole 224 a to the lower space of theouter frame 221.

A seal or a gasket 26 may be provided at an edge of the lower space ofthe upper case 22 to reduce or prevent an inflow of foreign matterthrough a coupling portion or area between the bottom case 23 and theupper case 22. The seal 26 may also reduce or prevent noise (e.g., noiseof the gear assembly 25) generated in the lower space of the outer frame221.

The bottom case 23 may include a bottom plate 231 and a side wall 232extending upward from an edge of the bottom plate 231. The side wall 232may contact the inner circumferential surface of the outer frame 21defining a lower space of the upper case 22. The seal 26 may contact anupper end of the side wall 232 and/or may be fitted between an outercircumferential surface of the upper end of the side wall 232 and theinner circumferential surface of the outer wall 221. Alternatively, theside wall 232 may fit in a space between the seal 26 and the outer wall221.

The seal 26 may be made of an elastic, rubber, or plastic material, andmay extend downward from the bottom surface of the upper case 22. Theseal 26 may be provided at an inner side of the outer wall 221 andextend along an outer side or perimeter of the bottom surface of theupper case 22.

A plurality of shaft holes 233 may be formed in the bottom plate 231 atpositions directly below or aligning with the plurality of gear shafts225. Alternatively, the shaft holes 223 may be omitted, and a length ofthe gear shaft 225 may correspond to a depth of the lower space of theupper case 22 (i.e., a distance between the bottom surface of the innerplate 222 and the bottom plate 231). As another alternative, the shaftholes 223 may instead be formed by recessing an upper surface of thebottom case 23 downward.

A motor housing 235 to house the motor 24 may protrude from a bottomsurface of the bottom plate 231. The motor housing 235 may be formedsuch that a portion of the bottom plate 231 is recessed or steppeddownward by a predetermined depth. Alternatively, a communication holemay be formed in the bottom plate 231, and a separate housing may becoupled to a bottom of the bottom plate 231 at a position directly belowthe communication hole to define the motor housing 235.

The gear assembly 25 may include a drive gear 251 driven by the motor 24and at least one driven gear 252 configured to engage with and be drivenby the drive gear 251. The transmission gears 990 of the cushions C maybe adjacent to the driven gears 252. There may be idle gears not part ofthe cushions C that are provided between adjacent transmission gears 990so as to transmit a rotational force to the transmission gears 990 thatare part of the same firmness adjuster M1. Alternatively, when there isa plurality of driven gears 252, all of the plurality of driven gears252 may be defined as idle gears. As another alternative, there may beone driven gear 252 and a plurality of idle gears. Embodiments disclosedherein are not limited to an arrangement of the gear assembly 25 and thetransmission gears 990. The gear shaft 225 may extend from the bottomsurface of the inner plate 222, but alternatively, the gear shaft 225may extend upward from the top surface of the bottom plate 231.

A spacer 234 may be provided in a center of the bottom plate 231 in aspace between two rows of transmission gears 990 that extend in a lengthdirection of the cushion case 21. The spacer 234 may be a panel or frameextending in the length direction, but embodiments disclosed herein arenot limited.

The spacer 234 may prevent the driven gears 252 or idle gears from beingmoved in a width direction of the module case 21 and disrupting a gearcoupling of the gear assembly 25 and the transmission gears 990. Thespacer 234 may have a height corresponding to a gap between the innerplate 222 and the bottom plate 231, and may prevent or reduce sagging ofthe inner plate 222 The spacer 234 may optionally be configured to addstructural rigidity to the cushion case 21.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the transmission gears 990 and the drivengears 252 may be alternately arranged with each other, and all of thetransmission gears 990 may rotate in the same direction. A rotationalforce supplied from the motor 24 may be transmitted to the driven gear252 through the driving gear 251, and the rotational force transmittedto the driven gear 252 may be transmitted to a transmission gear 990 andsubsequent transmission gears 990 via other driven gears 252 or idlegears. For convenience of description, a gear directly connected to thedrive gear 251 may be defined as the driven gear 252, while a gearprovided between adjacent transmission gears 990 may be defined as theidle gear.

The drive gear 251 may be engaged with a driven gear row located at anouter side or end (e.g., a front end) of the cushion case 21, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited. For example, the motor 24and motor housing 235 may be provided at a center of the bottom case 23,and the drive gear 251 and driven gear 252 may be provided in a middleor center portion of the bottom case 23, with idle gears provided ateither side or end.

When a firmness for a particular area of the bed is set through a userinterface provided in the bed (e.g., at the side guard 13 or guard rail60, in a humidity controller 800 descried later, or in some other remotecontroller or device such as a phone or computer through a mobile or webapplication), the motor 24 of a corresponding firmness adjuster M1 mayrotate, a rotational force may be transmitted to the gear assembly 25,and the plurality of cushions C in a same firmness adjuster M1 may becontrolled to have a same elastic strength. Further, the user may desirethat a firmness of the bed (or alternatively, half the bed) be uniform,in which case, all of the firmness adjusters M1 may be controlled suchthat all of the cushions C have the same firmness.

In addition, although the Figures show a 2×4 arrangement of the cushionsC in each firmness adjuster M1, embodiments disclosed herein are notlimited to such a number or arrangement and may be customized, alongwith a size of the cushions C and an overall size of the firmnessadjuster M1. When a plurality of cushions C is provided in one row, onedriven gear 252 may be connected to the driving gear 251. When three ormore rows of cushions C are provided, if idle gears are provided betweenadjacent driven gears 252, a firmness of three or more rows of cushionsC can be controlled with one motor 24.

Referring to FIGS. 28 to 31, the drying module 50 may include a setsupport 51 to support the mattress set MS. The set support 51 mayinclude a blowing device or fan module 52 mounted at a bottom of the setsupport 51.

The blowing device 52 may include a fan 55, a suction duct 53 coupled toan inlet of the fan 55, and at least one supply duct 56 coupled to atleast one outlet, respectively, of the fan 55. The suction duct 53 maybe omitted if the drying module 50 is spaced apart from the installationsurface (e.g., when the bed 10 has legs) such that the fan 55 maysuction air directly through the inlet of the fan 55. A filter 54 may beprovided at a suction port 531 of the suction duct 53; alternatively, ifthe suction duct 55 is omitted, the filter 54 may be provided at aninlet of the fan 55.

The fan 55 may be provided on an upper surface of the suction duct 53,as the fan 55 may be a centrifugal fan having an inlet provided on abottom, while the outlet may be provided at a side. The upper surface ofthe suction duct 53 may include a fan mounting hole 532 in which the fan55 may be mounted. An inlet of the fan 55 may align with the fanmounting hole 532.

The supply duct 56 may be mounted at the outlet of the blowing fan 55,and the supply duct 56 may include at least one discharge duct 57 havinga discharge port 571 through which air is discharged upward toward themattress set MS. As shown in FIG. 29, the fan 55 may have four outlets,four supply ducts 56 may be provided, and each supply duct 56 may havethree discharge ducts 57; however, embodiments disclosed herein are notlimited to a number of supply ducts 56 and discharge ducts 57.

The set support 51 may include an upper surface 511, on which themattress set MS may be placed, and first and second sides 512 and 513extending downward from an edge of the upper surface 511. The firstsides 512 may be shorter sides along a width direction of the dryermodule 50, and the second sides 513 may be longer sides along a lengthdirection of the dryer module 50. For convenience of description, thefirst sides 512 will be referred to as short sides, and the second sides513 will be referred to as long sides. The lengths of the short and longsides 512 and 513 may be equal to or longer than the widths and lengths,respectively, of the mattress set MS so as to support the mattress setMS.

When the set support 51 is placed on the installation surface, the lowerends of the short sides 512 and the long sides 513 may contact theinstallation surface, and an inlet groove or recess 513 a may be formedin at least one of the long sides 513. The filter 54 and/or a front edgeof the suction port 531 of the supply duct 53 may fit within the inletrecess 513 a, and the filter 54 may be exposed through the inlet recess513 a. As the short and long sides 512 and 513 may contact theinstallation surface, unfiltered air in a bedroom may be prevented or atleast slowed from entering the supply duct 53 or an inlet of the fan 55.Ambient air may be suctioned through the filter 54 into the supply duct53 at the inlet recess 513 a. A size and shape of the inlet recess 513 amay correspond to a size and shape of the filter 54.

As shown in the Figures, the supply duct 53 may have two suction ports531 at opposite ends, and both long sides 513 of the bed 10 may beformed with inlet recesses 513 a, which may face each other. When one ofthe long sides 513 is pushed up against a wall (such as when the bed 10is provided in a corner of a bedroom), air may still be suctionedthrough the inlet recess 513 a and filter 54 at the other long side 513.

A plurality of discharge or mounting holes 511 a may be formed in theupper surface 511. The plurality of discharge holes 511 a may be formedat positions corresponding to the positions of the plurality ofdischarge ducts 57 and have a size and shape corresponding to a size andshape of the discharge ducts 57. The plurality of discharge ducts 57 maybe exposed through the plurality of discharge holes 511 a such that aflow of air discharged from the discharge ports 571 may not beobstructed by the set support 51.

The filter 54 may be optionally detachable from the inlet recess 513 aand/or the discharge port 531 to allow access to an inside of thesuction duct 53. The suction duct 53 may be fixed to a bottom of the setsupport 51 in a direction intersecting with the supply duct 56. As anexample, the suction duct 53 may extend to be parallel with the shortsides 512, while the supply duct 56 may at least partially extend in adirection parallel with the long sides 513. The discharge duct 57 may beparallel to the suction duct 53. When the suction duct 53 extends to beparallel with the long sides 513, the inlet recess 513 a may be formedin the long sides 513. Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited toan arrangement of the suction, supply, and discharge ducts 53, 56, and57.

The fan mounting hole 532 may be formed at a center of the upper surfaceof the suction duct 53 so that the ambient air passing through thefilter 54 and the suction port 531 passes through the fan mounting hole532. Since the filter 54 may be mounted at the suction port 531 of thesuction duct 53, when ambient air is suctioned into the suction duct 53,dust and other foreign matter (e.g., collecting on the installationsurface under or near the bed 10) may be effectively filtered out.

As previously described, the fan 55 may include a centrifugal fan thatsuctions air in the axial direction and discharges the air in the radialdirection, but other types of fans may be used. The inlet of the fan 55may be formed on a bottom surface of the fan 55, and a plurality ofdischarge ports may be formed on a side surface of the fan 55. Theplurality of discharge ports may be spaced apart along a circumferentialdirection of the fan 55. For example, the Figures show that four outletsare formed on the side of the fan 55, and four supply ducts 56 areconnected to the four outlets of the fan 55.

The four supply ducts 56 may have a diagonal portion that intersect inan X-shape with the fan 55 at a center, and a horizontal portionextending parallel to at least one of the short or long sides 512 or 513toward an edge of the set stopper 51. As shown in FIG. 29, thehorizontal portions of the supply ducts 56 may be parallel to the longsides 513 such that the supply ducts 56 extend toward the short sides412 near the four corners of the bed 10.

When looking at an arrangement of the supply ducts 56 and the fan 55, anarrangement may be symmetrical with respect to a first axis intersectinga center of the fan 55 and parallel with the long side 513, and thearrangement may be symmetrical with respect to a second axisintersecting a center of the fan 55 and parallel with the short side512. However, the arrangement may not necessarily have four-foldsymmetry. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, two adjacent supply ducts 56extending toward a same short side 512 may be closer to each other thantwo adjacent supply ducts 56 extending toward opposite short sides 512.As such, the four discharge ports of the fan 55 may not all necessarilybe spaced apart by equal intervals; rather two discharge ports of thefan 55 may be spaced apart by a first angle to at least partially faceone short side 512, two discharge ports of the fan 55 may be spacedapart by the first angle to at least partially face the opposite shortside 512, but an angle between two discharge ports of the fan 55 thatare directed toward opposite short sides 512 may be greater than thefirst angle.

A damper 561 may be provided inside each of the plurality of supplyducts 56 to independently adjust an amount of air discharged from thefour supply ducts 56. By adjusting an opening degree of the damper 561via a main controller of the bed, ambient air may be intensivelysupplied to a specific or selected area of the topper 12. For example,when water is spilled or sweat is permeated at a certain point orregion, and the humidity or moisture is higher than that of anotherpoint or region, the opening degree of the damper 561 may be adjusted sothat ambient air is intensively supplied to the point or region withhigh humidity.

A plurality of discharge ports or outlets may be formed on the uppersurface of the supply duct 56. The discharge ports 571 of the dischargeducts 57 may be formed through the discharge ducts 57 to serve as aninlet, and the discharge ports 571 may be provided above or align withthe discharge ports of the supply ducts 56 so as to receive airdischarged from the supply ducts 56. The discharge ducts 57 may have anopened top, and the discharge port 571 may be formed through a bottomsurface. Side walls of the discharge ducts 57 that define the opened topmay be coupled to the discharge holes 511 a of the set support 51.Alternatively, the discharge duct 57 may not have an opened top, thedischarge duct 57 may be formed in an upper surface exposed through thedischarge hole 511 a, and an inlet may be formed at a bottom surfacethat aligns with the discharge port of the supply duct 56.

The plurality of discharge ducts 57 may be provided at predeterminedintervals along a longitudinal direction of the set support 51. Thedischarge hole 511 a may be aligned with the guide hole 111 formed onthe bottom surface of the bed cover 11 when the mattress set MS isplaced on the set support 51. Air discharged from the discharge duct 57may be supplied to the mattress set MS through the guide hole 111.

Referring to FIG. 32, a drying module 50 a according to anotherembodiment may have a same or similar structure as the drying module 50described with reference to FIGS. 28-31 except that the drying module 50a may include legs 58 and omit the suction duct 53. The legs 58 mayspace the drying module 50 a apart from the installation surface, and soa flow of air may freely reach an inlet of the fan 55.

The legs 58 may extend downward from an edge of the set support 51 at ornear each corner so that the bottom of the set support 51 may be spacedapart from the installation surface. Ambient air under the set support51 may be easily introduced into the fan 55, and the suction duct 53 maynot be required. A filter 54 a may be mounted at the inlet of the fan 55to filter out foreign substances contained in the ambient air.

As the suction duct 53 may be omitted, an inlet recess 513 a may also beomitted. As the filter 54 a may be mounted on a bottom of the fan 55, ashape of the filter 54 a may be different from a shape of the filter 54previously described. For example, the filter 54 described withreference to FIGS. 28-31 may have a shape configured to fit within theinlet recess 513 a and/or the suction port 531 of the supply duct 53,which may be rectangular or slot-like, while the filter 54 a may have ashape corresponding to the inlet of the fan 55, which may be circular.Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to an implementation orshape of the filter 54, 54 a.

Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, a bed 10 a and a drying module 50 baccording to another embodiment may be arranged such that air isdischarged to sides of the mattress set MS instead of to a bottomsurface. When an additional blanket, cushion, mattress topper, futon,sleeping pad, sleeping bag, etc. is placed on the mattress set MS, airdischarged from the drying module 50 b may flow into a space betweensuch blanket or additional cushion and the mattress set MS to dry both.

The mattress set MS may have a same configuration of the mattress set MSpreviously described with reference to FIGS. 1-32, except that a guidehole may not be formed in the bed cover 11. Instead, air dispensers 59described later may be provided to discharge air to an area outside ofthe mattress set MS. A redundant description is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 35, the drying module 50 b may include a set support51 b on which a mattress set MS is placed and a fan or blowing device 52a mounted at the set support 51 b. The drying module 50 b may notinclude discharge ducts 57.

The blowing device 52 a may include a blower assembly AS mounted on abottom surface of the set support 51 b, and an air dispenser 59 mountedon an upper edge of the set support 51 b. The air dispenser 59 mayinclude a main air dispenser 59 a and at least one sub or auxiliary airdispenser 59 b. The main air dispenser 59 a may be mounted at an uppersurface of the short side 512 of the set support 51 b provided at thefoot of the bed, and a pair of sub air dispensers 59 b may be mounted atan upper surface of the long sides of the set support 51 b.

The blower assembly AS may include a suction duct 53, a filter 54provided at a suction port 531 of the suction duct 53, a fan 55, asupply duct 56, and a heater H. The fan 55 may include a main fan 55 aand at least one sub fan 55 b, all of which may be or include acentrifugal fan.

The supply duct 56 may include a main supply duct 56 a and a sub supplyduct 56 b. An inlet of the main supply duct 56 a may be connected to adischarge port or outlet of the main fan 55 a, and an inlet of the subsupply duct 56 b may be connected to a discharge port or outlet of thesub fan 55 b.

Fan mounting holes 532 may be formed in the upper surface of the suctionduct 53 to communicate with the inlets of the main fan 55 a and the subfan 55 b. A number of mounting holes 531 may equal a total number of subfans 55 b and the main fan 55 a. As shown in the Figures, there may beone main fan 55 a and one sub fan 55 b, and two fan mounting holes 532.Like the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1-32, filters 54may be provided at both inlets of the suction duct 53, and inletrecesses 513 a may be formed in both long sides 513 of the set support51.

The sub supply duct 56 b may have left and right extensions extendingtoward left and right sides of the set support 51 b. The sub supply duct56 b may have a main extension extending a predetermined length from theoutlet of the sub-fan 55 b, and the main extension may be divided intothe left and right extensions extending toward the long sides 513 of theset support 51 b.

Heaters H may be provided or installed inside an end of the main supplyduct 56 a and inside the main extension of the sub supply duct 56 at aposition adjacent to where the main extension branches off into the leftand right extensions. Hot air may be supplied to areas where a humidityof the bed cover 11 or the topper 12 is high so that the bed cover 11 orthe topper 12 may be dried. The heater H may have variousimplementations. For example, the heater H may generate heat byproviding current to a coil-shaped resistor, or may alternativelyinclude a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) or Peltier device to provide hotor cold air. Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to animplementation of the heater H.

The set support 51 b may include an upper surface 511 and long and shortsides 513 and 512. The suction duct 53 may extend in a width directionof the upper surface 511 to be parallel with the short sides 512 andextend between the long sides 513. The inlet recess 513 a may be formedin the long sides 513, and the filter 54 may be positioned in the inletrecess 513 a and/or an end of the suction port 531 of the suction duct53.

A main discharge hole 511 b may be formed at an edge of the foot of theupper surface 511 to align with the main air dispenser 59 a describedlater, and a sub discharge hole 511 c may be formed at edges of the longsides 513 to align with the sub air dispenser 59 b described later. Themain air dispenser 59 a may be coupled to or exposed through the maindischarge hole 511 b, and the sub air dispenser 59 b may be coupled toor exposed through the sub discharge hole 511 c.

When the fan 55 operates, ambient air may be suctioned through at leastone filter 54 (depending on an installation position of the bed 10 or 10a with respect to a bedroom layout) and into the suction duct 53 to flowinto the fan 55. The air suctioned into the main fan 55 a may flow alongthe main supply duct 56 a to be discharged to an upper surface of themattress set MS through the main air dispenser 59 a. Air suctioned bythe sub fan 55 b may flow along the sub supply duct 56 b, and a flow ofair suctioned into the sub fan 55 b may be split into left and rightflows via the left and right extensions of the sub supply duct 56 b tobe discharged to the upper side of the mattress set MS through thesub-air dispensers 59 b.

When the heater H is turned on, the air flowing along the main supplyduct 56 a may absorb heat from the heater H, and air discharged throughthe main air dispenser 59 a may have an increased temperature.Similarly, air flowing along the sub-supply duct 56 b may be warmed orheated by the heater H before being discharged through the sub-airdispenser 59 b.

Hereinafter, a configuration and operation of the air dispenser 59 willbe described in detail. The main air dispenser 59 a and the sub airdispenser 59 b may differ in size, but have a same or similarconfiguration and operation.

Referring to FIG. 38, the air dispenser 59 may include a dispenserhousing or case 591 defining an interior space and a moving or risingduct 592 configured to rise and descend in a vertical direction. Themoving duct 592 may alternatively be referred to as a pop-up duct. Adischarge grill 593 may be provided in a grill mounting hole 5921 formedin a front upper surface of the moving duct 592. A lift or elevator (ES)may be configured to raise and/or lower the moving duct 592, and atleast one buffer spring 597 may elastically support the lift ES.

The lift ES may use a rack and pinion scheme, but embodiments disclosedherein are not limited (for example, the lift ES may alternativelyinclude a linear actuator or plunger). The lift ES may include anelevating motor 594 to generate a rotational force, an elevating pinion595 coupled to a rotating shaft of the elevating motor 594, and a motorhousing 596 in which the elevating motor 594 is provided. The elevatingpinion 585 may engage with a rack 5923 formed in the moving duct 592(FIG. 42) and described later. The motor housing 596 may be placed on anupper end of the buffer spring 597. As shown in FIG. 38, there may betwo buffer springs 597 provided adjacent to each other to support abottom of the motor housing 596.

Referring to FIGS. 39 and 40, the dispenser housing 591 may include amain body 5910 having a hexahedral shape and a partition wall 5911dividing the interior space of the dispenser housing 591 into first andsecond spaces 5913 and 5914. The main body 5910 may have a predeterminedwidth, height, and thickness. The first space 5913 may receive themoving duct 592 and be adjacent to a side of the mattress set MS. Thesecond space 5914 may receive the elevating motor 594 and be provided ata rear side of the first space 5913.

A guide slit 5912 may be vertically formed at a center of the partitionwall 5911 to have a predetermined width and length. The width of theguide slit 5912 may correspond to an outer diameter of the rotationshaft of the elevating motor 594. The rotation shaft of the elevatingmotor 594 may pass through the guide slit 5912 and move up and downwithin the guide slit 5912 when the lift ES moves in the verticaldirection.

The buffer spring 597 may be received in the second space 5914. Thebuffer spring 597 may be a coil spring, but embodiments disclosed hereinare not limited. The motor housing 597 may be coupled to an upper end oftwo adjacent buffer springs 597, and the motor housing 597 may move upand down according to an expansion and contraction of the buffer spring597.

A front bottom surface of the main body 5910 may be opened so that thefirst space 5913 may communicate with the discharge holes 511 b and 511c formed at the edge of the upper surface 511 of the set support 51 b. Afront top surface of the main body 5910 may also be opened so that themoving duct 592 may partially slide into and out of the first space 5913in a vertical direction.

Referring to FIGS. 41 and 42, the moving duct 592 may have a duct body5920 having a hexahedral shape and the grill mounting hole 5921 formedin a front upper surface of the duct body 5920. A pinion receivinggroove 5922 recessed forward may extend in a vertical direction at acenter of a rear surface of the duct body 5920, and a rack 5923 may beformed at a side surface of the pinion receiving groove 5922.

The rack 5923 may include a plurality of teeth configured to engage witha plurality of teeth of the elevating pinion 595. The elevating pinion595 may be provided in the first space 5913 while the elevating housing596 and elevating motor 594 is provided in the second space 5914 withthe rotation shaft connecting the elevating motor 594 and the elevatingpinion 595 penetrating the guide slit 5912. The elevating pinion 595 inthe first space 5913 of the duct housing 591 may be provided within thepinion receiving groove 5922 of the moving duct 592 to be engaged withthe rack 5923. As the elevating pinion 595 rotates, the moving duct 592may move up and down within the first space 5913.

Referring to FIG. 43, when the drying module 50 b is not operated, themoving duct 592 may be completely within the first space 5913 of thedispenser housing 591 so as not to be exposed Referring to FIG. 44, whenthe drying module 50 b is operated, the fan 55 may be operated, and theheater H may optionally be operated. The elevating motor 594 may beoperated so that the moving duct 592 rises to a maximum height, whichmay be determined by a length of the guide slit 5912.

When the moving duct 592 rises to the maximum height, an upper surfaceof the moving duct 592 may be positioned higher than the upper surfaceof the mattress set MS. Ambient air discharged through the dischargegrill 593 may collide with the upper surface of the mattress set MS andbe diffused.

Referring to FIG. 45, when the moving duct 592 is raised, a verticalload may be inadvertently applied to the upper surface of the movingduct 592 (e.g., due to a user's carelessness or a child's curiosity).When such a downward force is applied, the moving duct 592 may descend,and the elevating motor 594 may be forcibly rotated in reverse, whichmay cause damage or impede performance. However, as the motor housing596, the elevating motor 594, the rotation shaft of the elevating motor594, and the elevating pinion 595 may descend together with the movingduct 591, the buffer spring 597 may be contracted and partially resistthe downward force to lessen an extent of damage. When the vertical loadacting on the moving duct 592 is removed, the lift ES may be raised backto an original position by a restoring force of the buffer spring 597. Aspring constant or stiffness of the buffer spring 597 may be configuredsuch that the restoring force may be large enough to raise the motorhousing 596, the elevating motor 594, the rotation shaft, the elevatingpinion 595, and the moving duct 591.

Referring back to FIGS. 33-44, the drying module 50 b may not include adischarge duct 57. An end of the supply duct 56 may be curved upward(see FIG. 35) to define an upper opening, which may be an outlet ordischarge port of the supply duct 56. A bottom of the duct body 5920 ofthe moving duct 592 may have an opening aligning with the outlet of thesupply duct 56 so as to receive air discharged from the supply duct 56.

Referring to FIGS. 46 to 49, a bed 10 b according to an embodiment mayinclude a mattress set MS1 and a drying module 50 c provided below themattress set MS1. A bedframe 300 may be configured to adjust anorientation or position by tilting at least a portion of the mattressset MS1 placed on an upper surface of the bedframe 300. A guard frame 60may be coupled to the bedframe 300, and a blower device 52 b may beinstalled at a bottom of the guard frame 60 and/or a bottom of thebedframe 300 to discharge ambient air to the mattress set MS1.

The guard frame 60 may further include legs 70 extending from fourcorners of the guard frame 60 to space the drying module 50 c apart fromthe installation surface. The drying module 50 c may be similar to thedrying module 50 b described with reference to FIGS. 33-45 except thatthe suction duct 53 may be omitted. The blower device 52 b may includean air dispenser 59 and a blowing or fan assembly AS1. The air dispenser59 may include a main air dispenser 59 a and a sub air dispenser 59 b.

The fan assembly AS1 may include a fan 55, a filter provided at an inletof the fan 55, a supply duct 56 coupled to an outlet of the fan 55, anda heater H provided in the supply duct 56. The filter may have a similarconfiguration as the filter 54 a shown in FIG. 32. As previouslymentioned, unlike the blower assembly AS described in FIGS. 33-45, thefan assembly AS1 here does not require a suction duct because the fan 55may be separated from the installation surface of the bed 10 b by thelegs 70, so ambient air may be freely suctioned into the fan 55. The fan55 may include a main fan 55 a and a sub fan 55 b, and the supply duct56 may include a main supply duct 56 a and a sub supply duct 56 b.

As shown in FIG. 49, ambient air suctioned through the sub fan 55 b maybe supplied to the sub air dispensers 59 b through the sub supply duct55 b. The air suctioned by the main fan 55 a may be supplied to the mainair dispenser 59 a through the main supply duct 56 a.

The filter may be mounted at the inlet of the fan 55. Since aconfiguration may be similar to configurations previously described,redundant descriptions may be omitted. In particular, a structure andfunction of the air dispenser 59 described with reference to FIGS. 38-45applies mutatis mutandis to a description of FIGS. 46-49, though detailsof the bedframe 300 will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 51-59.

Referring to FIG. 50, the mattress set MS1 may differ from thepreviously described mattress set MS in that the bed cover 11 does notsurround the bedframe 300. Rather, the bedframe 300 may be separate fromthe mattress set MS, which may be separable from the bedframe 300. Themattress set MS1 may include the cushion module 20 having a plurality offirmness adjusters M1 and partitions 40 provided therebetween, thetopper 12, the bed cover 11, the safety guard 13, and also a cushionseating plate 80. The cushion seating plate 80 may also be surrounded bythe bed cover 11.

The safety guard 13 may surround side edges of the cushion seating plate80. Hereinafter, a configuration and operation of the cushion seatingplate 80, the guard frame 60, and the bedframe 300 will be described indetail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 51 and 52, the bedframe 300 may include a motiongenerator 3100, a motion link 3200, and a seating frame 3300. Theseating frame 3300 may provide a surface on which the cushion module 20is placed, and the seating frame 3300 may be bent and tilted by adriving force supplied from the motion generator 3100.

The seating frame 3300 may include a pair of fixing blocks 3310, anupper body frame 3320, a lower body frame 3330, a cushion seating plateor bar 3340, and a fixing bar 3350. The pair of fixing blocks 3310 maybe fixed to inner surfaces of the pair of side frames 61 of the guardframe 60 to face each other. A fastening member (e.g., a bolt or screw)may pass through the fastening hole 611 formed in the side frame 61 andbe inserted into the fixing block 3310. The pair of fixing blocks 3310may be located at a center of the side plate 61, but embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited. A rear end of the upper body frame3320 and a front end of the lower body frame 3330 may be rotatablycoupled to the fixing block 3310.

The upper body frame 3320 may include a pair of rear frames 3321, eachof which has a rear end rotatably coupled to the fixing block 3310, anda pair of front frames 3322 rotatably coupled to the front ends of therear frames 3321, respectively. Each of the pair of rear frames 3321 andthe pair of front frames 3322 may be parallel to each other.

The lower body frame 3330, like the upper body frame 3320, may have apair of front frames 3331 rotatably coupled to the pair of fixed blocks3310 and a pair of rear frames 3332 rotatably coupled to rear ends ofthe front frames 3331, respectively. The cushion seating plate 3340 mayconnect frames among the front and rear frames 3322, 3331, 3321, and3332 that are provided parallel to each other.

The seating frame 3300 may be defined as a structure including aplurality of parallel cushion seating plates 3340 connected to eachother to resemble a slatted bed frame. With respect to the upper bodyframe 3320, the front frame 3322 may be or include a pair of parallelstraight bars, and at least one seating plate 3340 may connect the pairof parallel straight bars of the front frame 3322. The rear frame 3321may be or include a pair of parallel straight bars, and at least oneseating plate 3340 may connect the pair of parallel straight bars of therear frame 3321.

Similarly, with respect to the lower body frame 3330, the front frame3331 may be or include a pair of parallel straight bars, and at leastone cushion seating plate 3340 may connect the pair of parallel straightbars of the front frame 3331. The rear frame 3332 may be or include apair of parallel straight bars, and at least one cushion seating plate3340 may connect the pair of parallel straight bars of the rear frame3332. A coupling between the cushion seating plates 3240 and the barsmay be optionally rotatable at tilting axes. Furthermore, at least onecushion seating plate 3340 may be coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled) tothe fixing block 3310.

Similar to how the seating frame 39 described with reference to FIGS.1-11 was divided into sections that move or pivot relative to each other(upper body frame 31, the hip frame 32, the thigh frame 33, and the calfframe 34), the seating frame 3300 may be divided into sections that moveor pivot relative to each other, the sections being defined by the pairof front frames 3322 of the upper body frame 3320 and the cushionseating plates 3340 therebetween, the pair of rear frames 3321 of theupper body frame 3320 and the cushion seating plates 3340 therebetween,the pair of front frames 3331 of the lower body frame 3330 and thecushion seating plates 3340 therebetween, and the pair of rear frames3332 of the lower body frame 3330 and the cushion seating plates 3340therebetween. The different sections that pivot relative to each othermay alternatively be referred to as tilting portions.

Left and right ends of the fixing bar 3350 may connect bottom surfacesof the pair of fixing blocks 3310, respectively, so as to reduce orprevent sagging of the bedframe 300. In addition, a transmission ortransmitter 3110 of the motion generator 3100 may be coupled to thefixing bar 3350. The transmitter 3110 will be described in more detaillater.

An upper link connection end or front bracket 3323 may be provided on abottom surface of the pair of front frames 3322 of the upper body frame3320, and a lower link connection end or rear bracket 3333 may beprovided on a bottom surface of the pair of rear frames 3322 of thelower body frame 3330, respectively.

The motion generator 3100 may tilt or pivot the various sections of theseating frame 3300 via the motion link 3200. The motion generator 3100may include a transmission and a link drive shaft 3150 penetrating thetransmission 3110. Both ends of the link drive shaft 3150 may connect tothe link drive shaft connection end 612, respectively.

The link drive shaft 3150 may be a pair of shafts coupled to thetransmission 3110. The pair of shafts of the link drive shaft 3150 mayinclude a front shaft 3150A passing through a front end of thetransmission 3110 and a rear shaft 3150B passing through a rear end ofthe transmission 3110.

A mounting groove or recess may be formed on an inner surface of thelink driving shaft connecting end 612, and an end of the link drivingshaft 3150 may be fitted into the mounting groove. Alternatively, themounting groove may be a hole. Further, a plurality of ball bearings maybe arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the mounting grooveso that frictional force may be reduced when the link drive shaft 3150rotates. Since both ends of the link drive shafts 3150 may be connectedto the link drive shaft connection end 612, a load of the motiongenerator 3100 and the motion link 3200 may be supported by the guardframe 60.

The motion link 3200 may include a pair of front links 3210 connected toboth ends of the front shaft of 3150A, and a pair of rear links 3220connected to both ends of the rear shaft 3150B. The front link 3210 mayhave a two-fold link structure via a moveable link 3213 and a fixinglink 3212, while the rear link 3220 may have a multi-fold link structurevia an arm link 3222, a fixing link 3223, a moveable link 3225, and aconnection link 3224.

The front link 3210 may include a rear bracket 3211 extending downwardfrom the font shaft 3150A. The fixed link 3212 may extend from an end ofthe bracket 3211, and the movable link 3213 may be rotatably connectedto a rear end of the fixing link 3212. A front end of the movable link3213 may be connected (either fixedly or rotatably) to the front bracket3323. The front bracket 3323 may be formed to be parallel to the frontframe 3322 of the upper body frame 3320, while the rear bracket 3211 mayextend downward.

A rear end of the fixing link 3212 may be fixed to a bottom end of thebracket 3211, and the front shaft 3150A, the bracket 3211, and thefixing link 3212 may rotate as one body. When the front shaft 3150Arotates, the bracket 3211 and fixing link 3212 may rotate with the frontshaft 3150A, while the moveable link 3213 may rotate or pivot withrespect to the fixing link 3212. FIG. 56 shows a state in which thefront shaft 3150A has been rotated to tilt the bracket 3211 and fixinglink 3212.

The rear link 3220 may include a front bracket 3221 extending downwardfrom the rear shaft 31506. The arm link 3222 may extend from the rearshaft 3150 in a direction perpendicular to a downward extensiondirection of the front bracket 3221. The fixed link 3223 may have afront end rotatably connected to a rear end of the front bracket 3221.

The connection link 3224 may have a front end rotatably connected to arear end of the fixing link 3223. The rear end of the connection link3224 may be rotatably connected to a front end of the movable link 3225.The front bracket 3221 and the arm link 3222 may be formed of a singlemember that is bent in an L-shape, but embodiments disclosed herein arenot limited. The rear shaft 31506 may pass through the bracket 3221 tobe fixed.

The arm link 3222 may include an arm link body horizontally extendingfrom the rear shaft 3150B, and a circular slider may be formed at a rearend of the arm link body. A diameter of the slider may be larger than awidth of the arm link body so that an upper surface of the slider of thearm link 3222 may contact the lower surface of the rear frame 3332 ofthe lower body frame 3330.

An upper surface of the slider may slide along a bottom surface of therear frame 3332 while maintaining contact so that when the rear shaft31506 rotates, the rear frame 3332 of the lower body frame 3330 may moveor pivot relative to the front frame 3331 of the lower body frame 3330.The rear end of the movable link 3225 may be rotatably connected to therear bracket 3333. The rear bracket 3333 of the rear link 3220 may havea similar structure as the front bracket 3323 of the front link 3210.The rear shaft 31506, the front bracket 3221, and the arm link 3222 mayrotate together as one body.

As previously described, the front link 3210 may have a two-fold linkstructure via the moveable link 3213 and the fixing link 3212, and therear link 3220 may have a multi-fold link structure via the arm link3222, fixing link 3223, moveable link 3225, and connection link 3224.Although the rear link 3220 is shown to be a four-fold link, embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited in a number of links comprising thefront and rear links 3210 and 3220.

Referring to FIGS. 53 and 54, the motion generator may generate adriving force for rotating the front and rear shafts 3150A and 31506 ofthe link drive shaft 3150, which may be connected to the transmission3110.

The transmission 3110 may include a gear box or container 3111 and frontand rear transmission assemblies 3110A and 31106 provided inside of thegear box 31110 and corresponding to the front and rear shafts 3150A and3150B, respectively. Each transmission assembly 3110A, 3110B may includea motor 3120, a tilting gear 3130 connected to a rotation shaft 3121 ofthe motor 3120, and a reduction gear 3140 meshed with or configured toengage with the tilting gear 3130.

Each of the front and rear shafts 3150A and 31506 may penetrate the gearbox 3111 and rotate while being meshed or engaged with the reductiongear 3140. The two transmission assemblies 3110A and 3110B mayindependently drive a rotation of the front and rear shafts 3150A and31506, respectively, so that the upper body frame 3320 and the lowerbody frame 3330 may be adjusted independently of each other.

Various types of structures may be implemented as the transmission 3110,and embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the front and reartransmission assemblies 3110A and 3110B described. Embodiments discloseherein may include all types of transmissions 3110 in which power isgenerated from a gearbox 3110 and transmitted to a link drive shaft3150.

Referring to FIGS. 55 and 56, the upper body frame 3320 and the lowerbody frame 3330 may both be tilted or pivoted. When power is supplied tothe motion generator 3100 and the motor 3120 is operated, the linkdriving shaft 3150 may rotate. When the front shaft 3150A rotates, thefront link 3210 may rotate to tilt the upper body frame 3320 by apredetermined angle, and when the rear shaft 3150B rotates, the rearlink 3220 may rotate to tilt the lower body frame 3330 by apredetermined angle.

The fixed link 3212 of the front link 3210 may be fixed to the rearbracket 3211, while an end of the movable link 3213 may maintain aconnection to the front frame 3322 via the front bracket 3323. When themotor 3120 in the front transmission assembly 3110A is operated, thefront shaft 3110A rotates, and the front link 3210 rotates to tilt boththe front and rear frames 3322 and 3321 of the upper body frame 3320upward by a predetermined angle.

When the motor 3120 in the rear transmission assembly 3110B is operated,the rear shaft 3110B rotates, and the front bracket 3221 and the armlink 3222 may rotate together as one body. The rear frame 3332 of thelower body frame 3320 may be lifted as the arm link 3222 rotates upward.As the arm link 3222 and the front bracket 3221 rotate, the fixed link3223 may be pushed forward, and a rear end of the rear frame 3332 may besupported via the rear link 3333 and the moveable link 3225. Inaddition, the rear end of the front frame 3331 may be rotated as thelower frame 3332 rises, resulting in a state as shown in FIG. 56.

As the arm link 3222 rotates by a rotation of the rear shaft 31506, thearm link 3222 may slide along the bottom surface of the lower frame3322. Without the moveable link 3225 and rear bracket 3333, the rear endof the rear frame 3332 may sag downward.

As the upper body frame 3320 and/or the lower body frame 3330 aretilted, a space or gap may form between the upper body frame 3320 andthe guard frame 60 and/or between the lower body frame 3330 and theguard frame 60. Foreign substances may be introduced into the bed 10 athrough the gap, and there is a possibility that a body part of may becaught and injured in the gap.

In order to block the occurrence of such a problem, at least oneblocking film or layer 75 and/or 77 may be provided. The blocking film75 and/or 77 may include an upper or front blocking film 75 connectingthe upper body frame 3320 and the guard frame 60, and a lower or rearblocking film 77 connecting the lower body frame 3330 and the guardframe 60. The front and rear blocking films 75 and 77 may also bereferred to as blocking sheets or covers.

The front and rear blocking films 75 and 77 may be formed of a soft orelastic cloth, sheet, or band, a folded or wrinkled cloth, a materialhaving an accordion bellow or spring shape, etc. Embodiments disclosedherein are not limited to a material of the front and rear blockingfilms 75 and 77.

Referring to FIGS. 57 to 59, the plurality of firmness adjusters M1 maybe fixed to an upper surface of the seat plate 80. The seat plate 80 mayhave a plate structure formed by a plurality of plates 810, 820, 830,840 that are hinged or rotatably coupled to each other, the plurality ofplates 810, 820, 830, 840 corresponding to sections of the bed frame 300configured to be adjustable. The seat plate 80 may include an upper orfront body plate 81 and a lower or rear body plate 82. The upper bodyplate 81 may be provided on an upper side of the upper body frame 3320,and the lower body plate 82 may be provided on an upper side of thelower body frame 3330.

The upper body plate 81 may include a front plate 810 and a rear plate820 rotatably connected to the front plate 810. The front plate 810 maybe provided on a section of the upper body frame 3320 having the frontframe 3322, and the rear plate 820 may be provided on a section of theupper body frame 3320 having the rear frame 3321.

The lower body plate 82 may include a front plate 830 and a rear plate840 rotatably connected to the front plate 830. The front plate 830 maybe provided on a section of the lower body frame 3330 having the frontframe 3331, and the rear plate 840 may be provided on a section of thelower body frame 3330 having the rear frame 3332.

A plurality of fastening holes 811, 821, 831 and 841 may be formed ineach of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840, respectively. When theplurality of firmness adjusters M1 are seated on the seat plate 80, aplurality of fastening members (e.g., bolts or screws) may penetrate thefastening holes 811, 821, 831, 841 and the firmness adjusters M1. As anexample, a fastening boss may extend from the bottom surface of thebottom case 23 to be inserted into the fastening holes 811, 821, 831,841, and the fastening members may be inserted into the fastening bossand holes 811, 821, 831, 841.

As shown in FIGS. 58 and 59, adjacent plates among the plates 810, 820,830, and 840 may be connected by one or more joint plates 85 and aplurality of joint hinges 86. A plurality of extension ends orprotrusions 832, 842 may protrude from each of the ends of the plates810, 820, 830, and 840. The plurality of extension ends 832, 842 may bespaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in a widthdirection of the seat plate 80. The joint plates 85 may have a pluralityof extension ends 851 which extend past the joint hinge 86, and theplurality of extension ends 851 may be configured to fit within or beengaged with the plurality of extension ends 832, 842 of the plates 810,820, 830, and 840.

The plurality of extension ends 851, 821, and 842 may have teeth thatengage or mesh with each other like gears. The plurality of extensionsends 851, 832, and 842 may be formed to have a plurality of protrusionsand recesses. The plurality of extensions ends 851 may fit with theplurality of extension ends 832, 842 like pieces to a puzzle, as theprotrusions of the extension ends 851 may fit within the recesses formedin the extension ends 832, 842.

The joint hinge 86 may pass through the extension ends 832, 842, 851 sothat two abutting plates of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may rotateor pivot relative to each other. When two plates of the plates 810, 820,830, and 840 are directly connected by the joint hinge 86, a degree offreedom of bending of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may be low. Abending degree of freedom of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may bedefined as a radius of curvature of a curve (as shown by the dotted linein FIG. 59).

A high degree of bending freedom may correspond to a large a radius ofcurvature. The higher the degree of bending freedom, the smoother theplates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may appear when bent. When the joint plate85 is provided, the degree of bending freedom may be increased. As anumber of joint plates 85 increases, the degree of bending freedom mayincrease. The Figures show three joint plates 85 between two adjacentplates (in FIGS. 58 and 59, between front and rear plates 830 and 840 ofthe lower body plate 82), but embodiments disclosed herein are notlimited to a number of joint plates 85, and an appropriate number may beselected according to a desired tilting angle or degree of bendingfreedom.

A plurality of grooves of the extension ends 851 may engage with theplurality of extension ends 832 and 842 protruding from the sidesurfaces of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840. The extension ends 851may be formed at both front and rear ends or sides of the joint plate85. Accordingly, the joint plate 85 and a side surface or end of a plateamong the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may be meshed with each other.The joint hinge 86 may be a cylindrical rod passing through the groovesof the extension ends 832, 842, and 851. The joint hinge 86 may be arotation axis between a joint plate 85 and an adjacent plate 810, 820,830, and/or 840.

A portion where two adjacent plates 810, 820, 830, 840 are connected byone or more joint plates 85 may be defined as a joint bending portion.The joint bending portion may be a section including a plurality ofjoint plates 85 (e.g., three) and a plurality of joint hinges 86 (e.g.,four) coupling the plurality of joint plates 85 to two adjacent plates810, 820, 830, and/or 840.

Referring to FIG. 60, as described above, the blowing assembly AS1provided in the bed 10 b may not require a separate suction duct.Suction ports or inlets may be formed on the bottom surfaces of the mainfan 55 a and the sub fan 55 b, and filters 54 a may be mounted at therespective suction ports.

By connecting the main fan 55 a and the sub fan 55 b to the main airdispenser 59 a and the sub air dispenser 59 b, respectively, anoperation of the main air dispenser 59 a and the sub air dispenser 59 bmay be independently controlled. Heaters H may be installed in the mainsupply duct 56 b and the sub supply duct 56 b, respectively, so thatheat may be supplied to the mattress set MS1.

Referring to FIGS. 61 and 62, a bed 10 d according to another embodimentmay include a mattress set MS and a drying module 50 d on which themattress set MS is placed. The mattress set MS of the bed 10 d may bethe same as or similar to the mattress set MS provided for the beds 10and 10 a previously described, and so a duplicate explanation isomitted. A bottom surface of the drying module 50 d may contact theinstallation surface, but the drying module 50 d may still omit thesuction duct. Instead, the drying module 50 d may differ from the dryingmodules 50 d by spacing apart the fan 55 from the installation surfacewhile the fan 55 is still inside an interior space of the drying module50 d. The drying module 50 d and will be hereinafter described in moredetail.

Referring to FIGS. 63 to 65, the drying module 50 d may include a setsupport and a blowing device 52 c provided inside and outside the setsupport. The set support may include a base cover or bottom 5100 (FIG.65) placed on an installation surface, a top cover 5400 provided abovethe base cover 5100 and defining a top surface of the set support, andan edge or side frame 5200 having an opened bottom surface covered bythe base cover 5100 and an opened top surface covered by the top cover5400.

The blowing device 52 c may include a filter 54 b detachable from theedge frame 5200, a blowing or fan assembly AS2 placed in an inner spaceof the edge frame 5200, an air dispenser 5500 coupled to an outlet ofthe fan assembly AS2, and a discharge grill 5300 covering an outlet ordischarge port 5216 (FIG. 68) of the edge frame 5200 above the filter 54b. A vertical side wall of the edge frame 5200 may be formed with thedischarge port 5216, and the filter 54 b may be inserted into a bottomside of the edge frame 5200. A suction port 5217 may be provided on abottom surface of the edge frame 5200 under the filter 54 b, which maybe inserted at an angle to cover the suction port 5217 (FIG. 70).

The fan assembly AS2 may include a fan 55 and a supply duct 56. The fan55 may include a main fan 55 a and a sub fan 55 b, and the supply duct56 may include a main supply duct 56 a connected to an outlet of themain fan 55 a a sub supply duct 56 b connected to an outlet of the subfan 55 b. The blowing device 52 c may further include heaters Hinstalled in flow paths of the main supply duct 56 a and the sub supplyduct 56 b.

The fan assembly AS2 may be substantially the same in configuration andfunction as the fan assembly AS1 of the bed 10 c previously described.However, there is a difference in that the filter 54 b may not beinstalled at the suction port of the blowing fan 55 but rather at theedge frame 5200.

The blowing device 52 c may be defined as including the fan assembly AS2and the air dispenser 5500, or alternatively may be defined as furtherincluding the filter 54 b and the heater H. The edge frame 5200 may havea substantially rectangular shell shape, which may define an interiorspace of the dryer module 50 d with the top and base covers 5400 and5100. The base cover 5100 may be have a cross-sectional area smallerthan that of the edge frame 5200 so as to be seated on the edge frame5200, as will be described in more detail later.

Referring to FIG. 66, the discharge grill 5300 may be provided in adischarge grill seating recess 5213 (see FIG. 68) formed in an upperedge of the edge frame 5200. The discharge grill 5300 may include agrill body or frame 5310 and a discharge port or slit 5311 that iselongated across a longitudinal direction of the grill body 5310.

The discharge port 5311 of the discharge grill 5300 may be formed tohave a same size and shape as a size and shape of a sub discharge port5216 (see FIG. 68) formed in the edge frame 5200, or alternatively maybe formed to be longer. Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited solong as a flow of air through the sub discharge port 5216 is notobstructed by the grill body 5310.

Referring to FIG. 67, the filter 54 b may include a filter frame or body5410 having a rectangular shape, and a mesh material 5420 mounted withinthe filter frame 5410. Alternatively, the mesh material 5420 may be aHEPA filter, carbon filter, paper filter, fibrous filter, metalstrainer, etc. Embodiments of the filter 54 b are not limited.

The filter frame 5410 may include an outer body 5411 having arectangular shell shape and a plurality of partition ribs 5412 dividingan inner space defined by the outer body 5411 into a plurality of smallspaces. A handle 5413 may be formed on an edge of the outer body 5411 tofacilitate manual removal from the edge frame 5200.

The mesh material 5420 may be coupled (e.g., adhered or welded) to anupper surface of the filter frame 5410, and the partition ribs 5412 maysupport the mesh material 5420 to prevent or reduce sagging. The handle5413 may extend outward from an edge of a long side of the outer body5411. The handle 5413 may protrude upward so that when the filter 54 bis inserted into a filter insertion hole or slot 5212 (see FIGS. 68 and70), a lip of the handle 5413 may be caught on the side of the edgeframe 5200 to prevent the entire filter 54 b from penetrating the filterinsertion hole 5212 and being lost inside of the edge frame 5200.

Alternatively, when the filter 54 b is inserted into the filterinsertion hole 5212, an outer surface of the handle 5413 may be flushwith a side surface of the edge frame 5200. Further, a gripping groovemay be formed on an outer surface of the handle 5413 so that the usermay remove the filter 54 b by putting a finger into the gripping groove.

Referring to FIGS. 68 to 70, the edge frame 5200 may have a rectangularstrip shape so as to have two long sides facing each other and two shortsides facing each other. An opening 5211 may be formed at one of the twoshort sides such that a perimeter of the edge frame 5200 may not form acomplete rectangle. The air dispenser 5500 may be provided in theopening 5211.

Filter insertion holes or slots 5212 may be formed in the two long sidesof the edge frame 5200 to face each other. The filters 54 b may beinserted into the filter insertion holes 5212. The filter insertion hole5212 may be formed to be inclined or angled downward from an outersurface to an inner surface of the edge frame 5200, and the filters 54 bmay be inserted at an angle to facilitate insertion.

A filter seating surface 5214 (FIG. 70) may be formed inside the edgeframe 5200 to receive and support an end of the filter 54 b. The filterseating surface 5214 may be stepped to have an inner contourcorresponding to a shape of the end of the filter 54 b when the filter54 b is inserted a maximum amount into the filter insertion hole 5212.The filter seating surface 5214 may include both a vertical recess and adiagonal recess in an inner surface of the edge frame 5200.

The suction port 5217 may be formed at the bottom of the edge frame 5200to be directly below the filter 54 b. The suction port 5217 may bespaced a predetermined distance g from the installation surface by thebase cover 5100 to facilitate ambient air inflow. As an alternative, thesuction port 5217 may be formed in the long side of the edge frame 5200below the discharge port 5213, and the filter 54 b may be configured tocover the suction port 5217. Since the suction port 5217 may be formedunder the filter 54 b, ambient air flowing into the suction port 5217may pass through the filter 54 b so that foreign matter contained in theambient air may be filtered out.

Ambient air suctioned through the suction port 5217 may flow along asuction flow path 5217 a bent in an “L” shape from the suction port 5217and penetrating an inner surface of the edge frame 5200. A suction endof the suction flow path 5217 may be provided at the suction port 5217,while a discharge end of the suction flow path 5217 a may be inside theedge frame 5200. Air suctioned through the suction port 5217 may flowalong the suction flow path 5217 a, which may eventually lead to theinlet of the blowing fan 55 to guide the air toward the blowing fan 55.

A sub-supply duct seating recess 5215 may be formed in the edge frame5200 and may be separated from the suction flow path 5217 a. Thesub-supply duct seating recess 5215 may be stepped downward by apredetermined depth from an upper surface of the edge frame 5200. Thesub-supply duct 56 b may be provided in the sub-supply duct seatingrecess 5215, and a width of the sub-supply duct seating recess 5215 maycorrespond to as width of the sub-supply duct 56 b.

The sub discharge port 5216 may be formed at an edge or corner of theedge frame 5200 at an outer end of the sub supply duct seating recess5215. When the sub-supply duct 56 b is seated in the sub-supply ductseating recess 5215, air discharged from the sub-supply duct 56 b maypass through the sub-discharge port 5216 of the edge frame 5200 to bedischarged outside of the bed 10 d.

The sub-supply duct seating recess 5215 may be provided above andseparated from the suction port 5217, but embodiments disclosed hereinare not limited. For example, the suction port 5217 may alternatively beformed in a center of the long side of the edge frame 5200 closer to anyone of the two short sides of the edge frame 5200, or below the filterinsertion hole 5212.

Referring to FIGS. 71 to 73, the air dispenser 5500 may include a mainsupply duct support or ledge 5510 and a dispenser body 5520 coupled toan outer surface of the main supply duct support 5510. An upper surfaceof the main supply duct support 5510 may be stepped multiple times tohave a stair shape, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

A heater seating recess 5511 may be formed to be stepped on an upperstair surface of the main supply duct support 5510. A heater housing inwhich the heater H may be housed may be provided in the heater mountingrecess 5511.

A communication or guide hole 5512 may be formed at an outer edge of themain supply duct support 5510. An end of the main supply duct 56 a maybe inserted into the communication hole 5512 or have an inletcommunicating with the communication hole 5512.

The main supply duct support 5510 may be mounted at the opening 5211formed at the short side of the edge frame 5200, or alternatively beformed integrally with the edge frame 5200. In such an embodiment, theopening 5211 may be excluded, and the air dispenser 5500 may include thedispenser body 5520 but not the main supply duct support 5510.

A lower portion of the dispenser body 5520 may be curved or rounded froma side surface to a bottom surface to surround a similarly curved orrounded outer corner of the main supply duct support 5510 and/or anouter side of the edge frame 5200. An inlet port 5521 may be formed onan inner surface of the dispenser body 5520 that contacts the mainsupply duct support 5510. The inlet 5512 may align and communicate withthe communication hole 5512 of the main supply duct support 5510.

A side surface of the dispenser body 5520 may include an inner wallhaving the inner surface that contacts the main supply duct support 5510and an outer wall provided outside of the inner wall. A diffuser 5522may be formed inside the dispenser body 5520 and defined by an innerspace, and an outlet 5523 may be formed on an upper surface or end ofthe dispenser body 5520 extending between the inner and outer walls.

The outlet 5523 may be formed to be closer to the inner wall than theouter wall such that a distance from a rear end or side of the outlet5523 to the outer wall may be longer than a distance from a front end orside of the outlet 5523 to the inner wall. The diffuser 5522 may have aleft-right cross-sectional area and volume that increases from the inletport 5521 to the outlet port 5523.

An air guider or guide surface 5524 may be formed inside the dispenserbody 5520 on the outer wall at the rear side of the outlet 5523. A frontsurface of the air guider 5524 may be inclined so as to be thicker atthe outlet 5523 and thinner downward toward the inlet port 5521. Afront-rear cross-sectional area of the diffuser 5522 below the airguider 5524 may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the outlet5523. Since a front surface of the air guider 5524 may be inclined, theair discharged through the outlet 5523 may be discharged toward theupper surface of the mattress set MS1.

When the heater H is provided in a flow path of the main supply duct 56a and turned on, hot air may be discharged through the outlet 5523 todry the mattress set MS. The upper end of the dispenser body 5520 may bespaced a predetermined distance downward from an upper surface of themattress set MS while the mattress set MS is placed on the top cover5400.

Referring to FIGS. 74 and 75, the base cover 5100 may seal an openedbottom surface of the edge frame 5200 and space the edge frame 5200apart from the installation surface so that air may enter the suctionport 5217. The base cover 5100 may include a rectangular plate-shapedbottom 5110 and a side wall 5120 bended or rounded upward from tan edgeof the bottom 5110.

When the base cover 5100 is coupled to a bottom surface of the edgeplate 5200, the bottom surface of the edge plate 5200 may be spacedapart from the installation surface by a height of the side wall 5120.The suction port 5217 formed on the bottom surface of the edge cover5200 may also be spaced apart from the installation surface, therebyreducing a flow resistance when ambient air is suctioned into thesuction port 5217.

Referring to FIG. 76, when a blanket BL is placed on the mattress set MSsuch that an end of the blanket is stretched or falls over the outlet5523 of the air dispenser 5500 to cover the outlet 5523, air may stillbe discharged out of the outlet 5523 into a space between the mattressset MS and the blanket BL because the air dispenser 5500 may protrudeoutward with respect to the mattress set MS.

When the heater H is on, hot air discharged through the outlet 5523 mayflow between the mattress set MS and the blanket BL to dry the bed cover11 and the blanket BL and warm the blanker BL. When a humidity is high(e.g., during summer), the mattress set MS and the blanket BL may bequickly dried by the hot air discharged through the outlet 5523, so thatthe user can feel dry even when the blanket BL covers him. Even when themattress set MS is not covered by a blanket BL, the air discharged fromthe outlet 5523 may flow along a side of the mattress set MS due to theCoanda effect, as a side of the mattress set MS may be naturally convexor curved outward. The air may stay close to or cling to the convex sidesurface or rounded edge of the mattress set MS.

Referring to FIG. 77, the sub-discharge port 5216 formed on the uppersurface of the edge frame 5200 may be provided at an outer side of themattress set MS while the mattress set MS is placed on the top cover5400. The sub-discharge port 5216 may be angled at a corner of the edgeframe 5200 so as to discharge air past a bottom rounded corner of themattress set MS. Due to the Coanda effect, the air may cling to a sideof the mattress set MS such that a flow of air may be provided at aninner side of a line L that extends upward from an outermost dimensionof the edge frame 5200. The sub discharge port 5216 may be positioned tobe spaced apart from the line L, which may pass through the mattressset. Alternatively, an outer edge of the sub discharge port 5216 may liealong the line L.

By the above-described Coanda effect, a flow of the air dischargedthrough the sub-discharge port 5216 may include a lower curved portion,a side portion, and a curved portion at the upper end of the mattressset MS. The discharged air may flow along the outer side of the mattressset MS and may spread to the upper surface of the mattress set MS undera blanket BL.

Hereinafter, a humidity control method will be described in detail.Referring to FIG. 78, a humidity detection sheet HS may be provided inthe mattress set MS of the bed according to an embodiment. The humiditydetection sheet HS may be implemented in the bed cover 11 or as aseparate sheet provided over the topper 12 and/or the bed cover 11, andmay have a size corresponding to a size of the topper 12.

A plurality of humidity sensors ha may be provided in (e.g., woven into)the humidity sensing sheet HS, and the plurality of humidity sensors hamay be electrically connected to a controller of the humidity sensingsheet HS. The controller of the humidity detection sheet HS may bedefined as a sub controller, while the controller of the bed may bedefined as a main controller.

The main controller and the sub controller may communicate with eachother via communication modules, which may have WiFi or Bluetoothmodules, or alternatively may be wired to each other. The maincontroller may transmit a humidity detection command to the subcontroller or may receive a humidity value from the sub controller. Themain controller may control an operation of the fan 55 and the heater Hof the dryer module 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, etc. based on the receivedhumidity value.

In addition, the main controller and the sub controller may be connectedto a humidity controller to be described later through wirelesscommunication. A humidity control command may be output from thehumidity controller, and the humidity control command may be transmittedto the main controller and then transmitted from the main controller tothe sub controller. Alternatively, a humidity control command may bedirectly transmitted from the humidity controller to the sub controller.

The humidity sensing sheet HS may be divided into a plurality of regionsR1 to R8, and humidity control for each region may be independent. Anumber of areas may be variously set according to design conditions.

A number of humidity sensors ha installed in each area may beappropriately set in consideration of cost and installation difficulty.A humidity value for each region may be determined as an average valueof humidity values sensed from the humidity sensors ha installed in thecorresponding region. The maximum value and the minimum value amonghumidity values detected by the humidity sensors ha installed in thecorresponding region may be optionally excluded, and various methods ofcalculating the humidity value of the corresponding region may beimplemented. Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a method ofcalculating or determining an overall humidity value for each region.

Various types of humidity sensors may be implemented as the humiditysensors, including an electrical resistance type humidity sensor inwhich electrodes are printed on a flexible substrate in the form of athin film. However, when the user lies on the humidity detection sheetHS, the humidity sensor hs may have a flat shape so as not to protrudetoward a user's body or cause discomfort. A humidity sensing circuitconnecting the humidity sensors ha may be configured so as not to bedamaged by a bending or pulling of the bed cover 11 and/or the humiditysensing sheet HS.

The humidity sensing sheet HS may be combined with the bed cover 11 asone body, which may further be optionally combined with a top surface ofthe topper 12. Alternatively, in addition to a method in which thehumidity sensor ha may be mounted on a separate sheet or film, thehumidity sensor ha may be directly mounted on or installed in (e.g.,woven in) the top surface of the topper 12.

The humidity sensor ha may detect a humidity of the topper 12 as well asthe bed cover 11 covering the topper 12. The mattress set MS, MS1 may bevulnerable to moisture due to secretions (e.g., sweat) released from theuser's body during sleep, spilled water or beverages, or moistureabsorbed from humid air in midsummer. If the mattress remains moist orwet for a long time, mold or mites may grow on the bed cover 11 or thetopper 12, resulting in poor hygiene and air quality, which mayadversely affect the user's health.

Such a humid condition may occur only in certain parts of the mattressset MS, in particular the bed cover 11 or the topper 12. To effectivelyeliminate or greatly reduce an over-humidity condition that may occur,the humidity sensing sheet HS and the heater H of the drying module 50,50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d may be efficiently controlled such that heat maybe applied to overly moist or wet regions.

Hereinafter, a control method of the drying module 50, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c,50 d based on the humidity value sensed by the humidity sensors hs ofthe humidity sensing sheet HS will be described in detail using aflowchart (FIG. 79), and possible display screens of a humiditycontroller 800 (FIGS. 80-84) shown in a process of performing the methodof controlling humidity of a bed according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 79, the bed 10, 10 a, 10 b, and 10 c may be turned orpowered on by the user (S110). When the power of the bed is turned on,at least one of the bedframes 30 and 300, the humidity sensing sheet HS,a humidity controller or regulator 800 to be described later, and acontrol box provided in the bed 10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c may be turned on.

The user may operate the humidity controller 800, which may be a remotecontroller that is wirelessly connected to the controller of the bed 10,10 a, 10 b, 10 c to select an automatic dehumidification operation ormode (S120). The main controller, sub controller, and humiditycontroller 800 may all include a printed circuit board (PCB), amicrocomputer or a processor, a memory or storage, communication modules(e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, or ZigBee modules), etc.

Referring quickly to FIG. 80, a humidity controller 800 may include amain body 8100, a power button 8200 provided on a front side of the mainbody 8100, and a display 8300 provided on a front side of the main body8100. The humidity controller 800 may be provided with a plurality ofmechanical input buttons, a plurality of touch input buttons, and/or thedisplay 8300 may be implemented as a touch screen having a plurality ofapplications or buttons, such as on a mobile phone. The power button maybe a mechanical button or switch that the user must press with a certainamount of force.

For example, when the user presses the power button 8200, the display8300 may be activated, and the humidity controller 800 and thesub-controller may be in a standby state or a state where communicationis possible. An image selectable by a user may be displayed on thedisplay 8300 as a background or welcome screen.

The plurality of mechanical input buttons may include a mode selectionbutton 8600 to select a mode, which may include an automaticdehumidification operation or mode, an execution/stop button 8700 toinput an execution or stop command of a selected mode, and a referencehumidity setting button 8800 to set a humidity level desired to bemaintained.

A temperature sensor 8400 to sense an indoor temperature and a wirelesscommunication module 8500 to wirelessly communicate with the maincontroller and the sub controller may be built in a side of the mainbody 8100. The wireless communication module may include Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. The temperature sensor 8400 may alternatively beprovided on any side of the humidity detection sheet HS or at any oneside of the bed 10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c (e.g., on the safety guard 13 orguard frame 60), and a sensed temperature value may be transmitted tothe sub controller or the main controller.

The reference humidity may be used to determine whether a humidity ofthe mattress set MS, MS1 sensed from the humidity sensing sheet HS isexcessively high for a current temperature or at an appropriate levelfor the current temperature. The reference humidity may mean anappropriate humidity corresponding to a room temperature detected by thetemperature sensor 8400. The reference humidity may be understood tomean a humidity that the user feels most comfortable at a correspondingtemperature.

For example, the reference humidity may need to be set differentlyaccording to a season, and an appropriate humidity may be determined orcalibrated for each temperature range. Temperature versus humidity datamay be stored in the main controller in the form of a lookup table.

For example, appropriate humidity values according to seasonaltemperatures may be stored in the form of a lookup table as shown inTable 1 below.

TABLE 1 Summer Spring/Fall Winter Optimum 24° C. ~ 28° C. 19° C. ~ 23°C. 18° C. ~ 20° C. Temperature Optimum 60% 50% 40% Humidity

While a reference humidity may be automatically selected from areference humidity stored in the lookup table, the user may freely setthe reference humidity at the current temperature by using the referencehumidity setting button 8800.

Referring back to FIG. 79, when the user selects the automaticdehumidification operation or mode using the mode selection button 8800,a plurality of humidity sensors ha provided in the humidity detectionsheet HS may sense a humidity (S130). An operation of receiving adehumidification operation command from the sub-controller and causingthe plurality of humidity sensors ha to sense the current humidity maybe defined as a current humidity scan operation.

Referring quickly to FIG. 81, while a current humidity scan operation isbeing performed (S130), text, image, or video information indicatingthat the humidity is currently being scanned may be output on thedisplay 8300 of the humidity controller 800.

Referring back to FIG. 79, the scanned humidity values (i.e., humiditydata) sensed from the plurality of humidity sensors ha may betransmitted to the main controller (S140). The main controller mayextract the humidity data and determine an average humidity value foreach region by processing and analyzing the humidity values transmittedfrom the sub controller (S150). Then, a humidity distribution image orchart for each region may be generated using the extracted averagehumidity value for each region, and the generated image may betransmitted to the humidity controller 800 to be output on the display8300 (S160).

As shown in FIG. 82, a humidity distribution chart for each region maybe output on the display 8300 of the humidity controller 800 (S160). Asan alternative, an image (e.g., a color graded image) may be shown,which may be based either on the average humidity values or,alternatively, based on the humidity sensed by each individual humiditysensor ha to show a more detailed rendering.

Referring to FIGS. 79 and 82, the main controller may set orpredetermine a normal or predetermined humidity range in considerationof an upper and lower error range based on the set reference humidity,and determine whether an area or region among the plurality of areas hasan average humidity value outside the predetermined humidity range(S170). When it is determined that there is an area having an averagehumidity outside of the predetermined humidity range (“Yes” after S170),the overly humid area may be prominently display on the display 8300. Atthe same time, the main controller may perform a drying operation byoperating at least one of the heater H, the fan 55, or the damper 561 toreduce a humidity in the corresponding area (S180). Such a step S180 maybe referred to as a drying step.

The fan 55 to which a corresponding supply duct 56 extending to theoverly humid region is connected may be driven for a predetermined timeperiod, and the heater H provided in the flow path of the correspondingsupply duct 56 may be turned on for the predetermined time period. Thedamper 561 provided on the flow path of the corresponding supply duct 56may be opened so that hot air may be concentrated and discharged to theoverly humid area.

When hot air is supplied to the mattress set MS, MS1 and adehumidification operation (or drying operation) is being performed, thedisplay 8300 of the humidity controller 800 may notify the user that adehumidification operation is in progress (FIG. 83). The main controlleror the sub controller may continuously sense whether the predeterminedtime period has elapsed (S190), and when the predetermined time periodhas elapsed, a drying operation may be stopped such that the fan 55 andthe heater H may be turned off or stopped, and the damper 561 may beclosed (S200). A process of scanning the current humidity (S130) may berepeated.

When this dehumidification operation process is performed once ormultiple times, and the main controller determines that the humidity ofthe region initially determined as the overly humid region has enteredthe predetermined humidity range, a dehumidification completion messagemay be output (S171). FIG. 84 shows that a humidity distribution imagefor each region or area indicating a current humidity value after thedehumidification operation is performed together with a dehumidificationcompletion message may be displayed on the display 8300 of the humiditycontroller 800.

By automatically supplying hot air to a specific area where humidity isexcessively high, the mattress set MS, blanket BL, and/or the bed cover11 may be maintained in a dry state to improve sleep.

Embodiments disclosed herein may solve problems described above.Embodiments disclosed herein may provide a bed that includes a mattressset on which the user's body is placed on an upper surface. A coversheet may surround and/or bundle the mattress set. The mattress set maybe provided on a bedframe and/or an installation surface. A dryer ordrying module may supply dry air into the mattress set. The dryingmodule may be configured to support the mattress set above theinstallation surface.

The drying module may include a set support including an upper surfaceon which the mattress set is placed and a side wall extending downwardlyalong an edge of the upper surface to contact the installation surface.A blowing device may be mounted below the set support. The blowingdevice may include a blowing fan, a suction duct connected to a suctionport of the blower fan and suctioning ambient air through suction portsformed at both ends, and a supply duct connected to the discharge portof the blowing fan to supply suctioned ambient air to the mattress set.

A height of an inner spring provided inside a cushion of the mattressset may be adjusted, and the user may easily set a desired level ofcushion strength or firmness. The cushion strength may be linearlyadjusted through a height adjustment of the inner spring. A drive may beconnected to a transmission gear provided at a lower end of the cushion,and a cushion strength of the plurality of cushions may be adjusted to asame level at once.

A firmness adjuster may include a plurality of firmness adjusters orstrength control modules, and each firmness adjuster may include aplurality of cushions arranged in a width direction of the bed. Theplurality of firmness adjusters may be arranged in a length of the bed.The user may adjust the cushion strength of the mattress differently foreach body part or region of the mattress, thereby providing anadvantageous sleep state. A part of the bed may be tilted through anoperation of the bedframe, to further improve a sleeping state to theuser.

Separating and replacing a topper of the bed may be easy so as to easilyor conveniently replace or repair the firmness adjuster after separatingthe topper. By mounting a drying module on a bottom of the bed, mold ona topper may be reduced or prevented by maintaining the topper in a drystate. Since the topper may be maintained to have a dryness above acertain level (or a moisture or humidity level below a certain level), apleasant feeling may be perceived by the user when the user's skintouches the topper, thereby facilitating a good night's sleep.

By a fiber-type body pressure sensor, embodiments disclosed herein mayquickly identify where a body pressure is concentrated when the userlies on the bed. By a humidity sensor provided in a humidity detectionsheet, an area having excessively high humidity among the entire area ofthe cover sheet or the topper may be detected, and hot wind or air maybe intensively supplied from the drying module to the over-humid area.As a result, the bedding, the cover sheet, or the topper may bemaintained in a dry state at a comfortable level, improving comfort anda good night's sleep.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress and a dryer configured to support and dry the mattress. Thedryer may include a support having a top plate supporting the mattressand a side wall extending downward from the top plate and provided on afloor surface, the side wall spacing the top plate apart from the floorsurface and having at least one side opening to allow a flow of air intothe support, a fan provided inside of the support, the fan having aninlet to suction air and at least one outlet to discharge air, at leastone supply duct coupled to the outlet of the fan, and a discharge ductcoupled to an outlet of the supply duct through which air may bedischarged upward, the discharge duct being exposed through a pluralityof top openings formed in the top plate of the support so thatdischarged air flows toward the mattress.

A suction duct may be coupled to the inlet of the fan and have at leastone suction port exposed through the side opening of the support tosuction air through the suction port. An inlet of the fan may beprovided at a bottom of the fan. A top of the suction port may be formedwith a mounting hole in which the bottom of the fan may be mounted. Theside wall of the support may include two short sides facing each otherand two long sides facing each other and extending between the two shortsides. The at least one side opening may include two side openingsformed in the long sides to face each other. The at least one suctionduct may include two suction ducts provided at the two side openings,respectively, such that the suction duct extends in a direction parallelto the short sides. A filter may be provided at the suction port or theside opening to filter foreign matter from air suctioned into thesuction duct.

The fan may be provided under a center of the top plate of the support.The at least one outlet may include a plurality of outlets provided at aside of the fan and spaced apart in a circumferential direction of thefan. The at least one supply duct may include a plurality of supplyducts coupled to the plurality of outlets and extending toward cornersof the support in an X shape. An arrangement of the supply ducts and thefan may be symmetrical across a first central axis parallel to alongitudinal direction of the support, and may be symmetrical across asecond central axis perpendicular to the first central axis. The supplyduct may have a first section extending along a diagonal direction ofthe bed and a second section extending in a longitudinal direction ofthe support.

The mattress may include a top layer made of elastic foam. The mattressmay include a plurality of springs and a plurality of motors configuredto adjust a firmness of the mattress by adjusting heights of some of thesprings.

A plurality of frames and at least one drive may be provided. The framesbeing hinged to each other and adjacent in a longitudinal direction ofthe support. The drive may move at least one frame to cause the frame torotate such that a posture of the mattress may be changed.

The mattress may include an elastic foam cushion extending in a widthdirection of the mattress above where the frames may be hinged to eachother. The mattress may include a guard surrounding a vertical side ofthe mattress.

A cover may be provided around the mattress. A bottom surface of thecover may be formed with a plurality of bottom holes that align with theplurality of top openings of the support to allow a flow of air into themattress. A damper may be provided in the supply duct to control a flowof air discharged out of the discharge duct.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress and a dryer configured to support and dry the mattress. Thedryer may include a support having a top plate supporting the mattressand a plurality of legs extending downward from the top plate, theplurality of legs spacing the top plate apart from a floor surface, afan provided at a bottom surface of the top plate, the fan having aninlet to suction air and at least one outlet to discharge air, at leastone supply duct coupled to the outlet of the fan, and a discharge ductcoupled to an outlet of the supply duct through which air may bedischarged upward, the discharge duct being exposed through a pluralityof top openings formed in the top plate of the support so thatdischarged air flows toward the mattress.

The discharge duct may include a discharge slot through which air may bedischarged. The discharge slot may be exposed through the plurality oftop openings formed in the top plate of the support. A filter may beprovided at the inlet of the fan.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amain frame having a first frame rotatably coupled to a second frame suchthat a posture of the main frame may be adjustable, a plurality ofcushions provided above the main frame, each cushion having at least oneelastic member, at least one drive configured to adjust a firmness of atleast some of the plurality of cushions, a support configured to supportthe and provided on a floor surface, the support having an inner spaceprovided under the main frame, at least one fan provided in the innerspace of the support to suction air, at least one supply duct coupled toan outlet of the fan and having at least one section extending in alongitudinal direction of the main frame, and at least one dischargeduct coupled to the supply duct through which air may be dischargedupward through holes formed in the support. A vertical side of thesupport, the floor surface, and a top of the support may define theinner space. At least one opening may be formed in the vertical side ofthe support to allow air into the inlet of the fan.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress and a dryer configured to support and dry the mattress. Thedryer may include a support having a top plate supporting the mattressand a side wall extending downward from the top plate and provided on afloor surface. The side wall may space the top plate apart from thefloor surface and have at least one side opening to allow a flow of airinto the support. At least one fan may be provided inside of thesupport, the fan having an inlet to suction air and at least one outletto discharge air. At least one supply duct may be coupled to the outletof the fan. At least one air dispenser may penetrate the top plate ofthe support to couple to an outlet of the supply duct. The air dispensermay be provided at a position outside of the mattress to discharge airtoward the mattress.

A heater may be provided in the supply duct to heat air dischargedtoward the mattress. The at least one fan may include a first fan andsecond fan, the first fan coupled to a first supply duct, and the secondfan coupled to a second supply duct, the second supply duct branchingoff into two extensions. The side wall of the support may include twoshort sides facing each other and two long sides facing each other andextending between the two short sides, the first supply duct may extendin a longitudinal direction toward a short side provided at a foot ofthe bed, and the two extensions may extend in a direction perpendicularto the first supply duct toward the two long sides.

At least one suction duct may be provided. The at least one fan mayinclude a first fan and a second fan, and a top of the suction duct maybe formed with two mounting holes in which bottoms of the first andsecond fans may be mounted. The side wall of the support may include twoshort sides facing each other and two long sides facing each other andextending between the two short sides. The at least one side opening mayinclude two side openings formed in the long sides to face each other.The at least one suction duct may include two suction ducts provided atthe two side openings, respectively, such that the suction duct extendsin a direction parallel to the short sides.

The air dispenser may include a case penetrating the top plate, the casehaving a bottom opening and a top opening, a pop-up duct provided insideof the case between the top opening and the bottom opening, the pop-upduct having a bottom opening aligning with the bottom opening of thecase and a discharge slot formed in a side surface through which air maybe discharged, and a lift comprising a motor and configured to raise andlower the pop-up duct with respect to the case. The lift further mayinclude a motor housing in which the motor may be provided and a shaftcoupling the motor to a pinion such that the motor rotates the pinion. Arear of the pop-up duct may be formed with a rack configured to engagewith the pinion.

The case may include a partition dividing the case into a first spaceand a second space, the partition having a guide slit. The motor housingmay be provided in the first space. The shaft may penetrate the guideslit. The pinion and the pop-up duct may be provided in the secondspace. A rear of the pop-up duct may include a groove in which thepinion fits.

At least one spring may be provided in the first space and coupled tothe motor housing such that, when a downward force may be applied on thepop-up duct, the spring may be compressed, and when the downward forcemay be removed, a restoring force of the spring moves the pop-up ductback to an initial position. The at least one spring may include twocoil springs. A discharge grill may be provided in the discharge slot.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress, a main frame provided below the mattress, a guard surroundingthe main frame, the guard having a plurality of legs to space the mainframe apart from a floor surface, and a dryer configured to dry themattress. The dryer may include at least one fan provided at a bottomsurface of the main frame, the fan having an inlet to suction air and atleast one outlet to discharge air, at least one supply duct coupled tothe outlet of the fan, and at least one air dispenser coupled to anouter side of the guard and communicating with an outlet of the supplyduct, the air dispenser having a discharge port formed in a side surfaceto discharge air toward the mattress.

The air dispenser may include a motor, a pop-up duct formed with a rack,and a pinion rotated by the motor and engaging with the rack to move therack in a vertical direction. An elastic member may support the motorsuch that when a downward force may be applied to the pop-up duct, themotor may descend, and the elastic member may be compressed. The atleast one fan may include two axial fans provided at a foot of the mainframe. At least one heater may be provided in the supply duct to heatair discharged through the air dispenser.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amain frame having a first frame rotatably coupled to a second frame suchthat a posture of the main frame may be adjustable, a plurality ofcushions provided above the main frame and having at least one elasticmember, at least one drive configured to adjust a firmness of at leastsome of the plurality of cushions, a support provided on a floor surfaceand configured to support the main frame, the support having an innerspace provided under the main frame, at least one fan provided in theinner space of the support to suction air, at least one supply ductcoupled to an outlet of the fan and having at least one sectionextending in a longitudinal direction of the main frame, at least onepop-up duct configured to discharge air received from the supply duct,and a motor configured to raise the pop-up duct during a dryingoperation and lower the pop-up duct after a drying operation.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method ofcontrolling mattress humidity comprising sensing a humidity at aplurality of points on a mattress, determining at least one averagehumidity value based on the sensed humidity at the plurality of points,and performing a drying operation based on the determined averagehumidity values. Performing the drying operation may include operatingat least one fan provided below the mattress to suction air anddischarge air toward the mattress to dry the mattress. Performing thedrying operation may further include operating at least one heater toheat air discharged to the mattress.

The mattress may include a plurality of regions. Determining the atleast one average humidity value may include determining an averagehumidity value for each region of the mattress. Performing the dryingoperation further may include operating at least one damper to control aregion to be dried during the drying operation. Performing the dryingoperation further may include operating a motor to raise at least oneair dispenser.

A humidifying sensing sheet may be provided on the mattress to sense thehumidity at the plurality of points. The humidifying sensing sheet mayhave a plurality of electrode lines configured to measure humidity ormoisture.

The method may further comprise processing the average humidity values,generating an image based on the processed average pressure values, andoutputting the image on a display. A user interface configured toreceive at least one of an automatic command or a manual command isprovided on a remote controller having a display.

Upon receiving an automatic command based on a user input into a userinterface, the step of performing the drying operation may includecomparing the determined average humidity value to a predeterminedhumidity range. The step of performing the drying operation may includeoperating the fan for a predetermined time period if the determinedaverage humidity value exceeds the predetermined humidity range. Afterthe predetermined time period, sensing the humidity, determining theaverage humidity value, and performing the drying operation may berepeated until the determined average humidity value is inside thepredetermined humidity range.

The method may further comprise determining a season of the year. Uponreceiving an automatic command based on a user input into a userinterface, the step of performing the drying operation may includecomparing the determined average humidity value to a predeterminedhumidity range for the determined season. The step of performing thedrying operation may include operating the fan for a predetermined timeperiod if the determined average humidity value exceeds thepredetermined humidity range for the determined season.

The method may further comprise sensing a temperature of the mattressand determining a predetermined temperature range in which the sensedtemperature is provided. Upon receiving an automatic command based on auser input into a user interface, the step of performing the dryingoperation may include comparing the determined average humidity value toa predetermined humidity range for the predetermined temperature range.The step of performing the drying operation may include operating thefan for a predetermined time period if the determined average humidityvalue exceeds the predetermined humidity range for the predeterminedtemperature range.

Upon receiving a manual command based on a user input into a userinterface, the step of performing the drying operation may includeselecting a desired humidity value via the user interface, comparing thedetermined average humidity value with the desired humidity value, andoperating the fan for a predetermined time period if the determinedaverage humidity value exceeds the desired humidity value.

The method may further comprise sensing a temperature and operating aheater for a predetermined time if the sensed temperature is less than apredetermined temperature.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method ofcontrolling a mattress humidity comprising receiving a command to adjusta firmness of the mattress, performing a humidity scan of the mattress,storing data from the humidity scan, processing the stored data,determining, using the stored data, humidity values corresponding aplurality of regions of the mattress, generating, via the processeddata, a humidity image reflecting the humidity values at the pluralityof regions, outputting the humidity image on a display, comparing thedetermined humidity values to predetermined humidity values, andperforming a drying operation to dry the mattress based on thecomparison between the determined humidity values and the predeterminedhumidity values.

The predetermined humidity values may be selected based on a userselection via a user interface provided on a remote controller, theremote controller having the display.

The predetermined humidity values may be determined based on at leastone of past user selections provided via a user interface, a season ofyear, an ambient temperature, or a comparison of all of the determinedhumidity values to each other.

Performing the humidity scan may include repeatedly sensing thehumidity, determining a difference between a current sensed humidity anda previous sensed humidity, comparing the determined difference to apredetermined error range, when the determined difference is within thepredetermined error range for a first predetermined time period,proceeding to the step of determining the average humidity value, andwhen the determined difference is not within the predetermined errorrange for a second predetermined time period, stopping sensing for athird predetermined time period, and repeating the step of repeatedlysensing the humidity after the third predetermined time period.

Performing the drying operation may include operating at least one of afan or a heater. Performing the drying operation may include operatingat least one fan to suction and discharge air and at least one damper tocontrol a region of the mattress where air is supplied. Performing thehumidity scan may include sensing a plurality of pressures using apressure sensor sheet provided on the mattress.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress and a dryer configured to support and dry the mattress. Thedryer may include an edge frame having a side wall, a top plate seatedon top of the edge frame and supporting the mattress, a bottom plateprovided under the edge frame to space the edge frame apart from a floorsurface, at least one fan provided inside of the edge frame, the fanhaving an inlet to suction air and at least one outlet to discharge air,at least one supply duct coupled to the outlet of the fan, and at leastone air dispenser coupled to an outlet of the supply duct, the airdispenser being provided at a position outside of the mattress todischarge air toward the mattress.

An inlet hole may be formed in a bottom of the edge frame at a positionoutside of the bottom plate such that the bottom plate does notinterfere with a flow of air through the inlet. A filter slot may beformed in the side wall. A filter may be configured to be inserted intothe filter slot and above the inlet. The filter slot may be inclinedsuch that the filter may be configured to be inserted at an anglecovering the inlet.

The filter may include a frame, a plurality of ribs extending across theframe, and a mesh material provided in the frame and supported by theribs. An outer edge of the filter may include a handle to pull thefilter out of the filter slot.

A discharge hole formed in the side wall. An outer side of the side wallmay include a recess in which a grill may be provided, the grillcovering the discharge hole. The discharge hole may be inclined upwardtoward an upper corner of the edge frame. The air dispenser may beprovided in the discharge hole such that a first section may be seatedin the discharge hole and a second section may extend to an outside ofthe edge frame.

A heater may heat air to be discharged through the air dispenser. Aninner side of the air dispenser may include a recess in which the heatermay be provided. The heater may be provided inside of a heater housing.The supply duct may be coupled to an inlet of the heater housing. Anoutlet of the heater housing may be coupled to an inlet of the airdispenser.

The air dispenser may include an inner wall and an outer wall defining adischarge passage leading to an upper opening. Inner surfaces of theinner and outer wall are configured such that a cross-sectional area ofthe discharge passage increases in a direction toward the upper opening.An inner surface of the outer wall may include an air guide having aninclined surface provided at the upper opening, a thickness of theinclined surface in a direction between the inner and outer wallsdecreasing in a downward direction.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress and a dryer configured to support and dry the mattress. Thedryer may include at least one fan provided under the mattress, the fanhaving an inlet to suction air and at least one outlet to discharge air,at least one supply duct coupled to the outlet of the fan, and at leastone air dispenser coupled to an outlet of the supply duct, the airdispenser having an outlet provided at a position outside of themattress to discharge air upward at a side of the mattress.

A side of the mattress adjacent to the outlet of the air dispenser mayhave a convex curvature such that a flow of air upward clings to a sideof the mattress. The air dispenser may have a thickness in a directionaway from the mattress such that, when a blanket may be provided on themattress, an end of the blanket may cover the outlet of the airdispenser such that air discharged from the air dispenser may be guidedto a space between the blanket and the mattress. A heater may beadjacent to an inlet of the air dispenser.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can bedirectly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of oneelement or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling mattress humidity,comprising: sensing a humidity at a plurality of points on a mattress;determining at least one average humidity value based on the sensedhumidity at the plurality of points; and performing a drying operationbased on the determined average humidity values, wherein performing thedrying operation includes operating at least one fan provided below themattress to suction air and discharge air toward the mattress to dry themattress.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the dryingoperation further includes operating at least one heater to heat airdischarged to the mattress.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein themattress includes a plurality of regions, determining the at least oneaverage humidity value includes determining an average humidity valuefor each region of the mattress, and performing the drying operationfurther includes operating at least one damper to control a region to bedried during the drying operation.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinperforming the drying operation further includes operating a motor toraise at least one air dispenser.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein ahumidifying sensing sheet is provided on the mattress to sense thehumidity at the plurality of points, the humidifying sensing sheethaving a plurality of electrode lines configured to measure humidity ormoisture.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: processing theaverage humidity values; generating an image based on the processedaverage pressure values; and outputting the image on a display.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a user interface configured to receive atleast one of an automatic command or a manual command is provided on aremote controller having a display.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein,upon receiving an automatic command based on a user input into a userinterface, the step of performing the drying operation includescomparing the determined average humidity value to a predeterminedhumidity range, and the step of performing the drying operation includesoperating the fan for a predetermined time period if the determinedaverage humidity value exceeds the predetermined humidity range.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein, after the predetermined time period, sensingthe humidity, determining the average humidity value, and performing thedrying operation is repeated until the determined average humidity valueis inside the predetermined humidity range.
 10. The method of claim 1,further comprising determining a season of the year, wherein, uponreceiving an automatic command based on a user input into a userinterface, the step of performing the drying operation includescomparing the determined average humidity value to a predeterminedhumidity range for the determined season, and the step of performing thedrying operation includes operating the fan for a predetermined timeperiod if the determined average humidity value exceeds thepredetermined humidity range for the determined season.
 11. The methodof claim 1, further comprising sensing a temperature of the mattress anddetermining a predetermined temperature range in which the sensedtemperature is provided, wherein, upon receiving an automatic commandbased on a user input into a user interface, the step of performing thedrying operation includes comparing the determined average humidityvalue to a predetermined humidity range for the predeterminedtemperature range, and the step of performing the drying operationincludes operating the fan for a predetermined time period if thedetermined average humidity value exceeds the predetermined humidityrange for the predetermined temperature range.
 12. The method of claim1, wherein, upon receiving a manual command based on a user input into auser interface, the step of performing the drying operation includes:selecting a desired humidity value via the user interface, comparing thedetermined average humidity value with the desired humidity value, andoperating the fan for a predetermined time period if the determinedaverage humidity value exceeds the desired humidity value.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising sensing a temperature andoperating a heater for a predetermined time if the sensed temperature isless than a predetermined temperature.
 14. A method of controlling amattress humidity, comprising: receiving a command to adjust a firmnessof the mattress; performing a humidity scan of the mattress; storingdata from the humidity scan; processing the stored data; determining,using the stored data, humidity values corresponding a plurality ofregions of the mattress; generating, via the processed data, a humidityimage reflecting the humidity values at the plurality of regions;outputting the humidity image on a display; comparing the determinedhumidity values to predetermined humidity values; and performing adrying operation to dry the mattress based on the comparison between thedetermined humidity values and the predetermined humidity values. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined humidity values areselected based on a user selection via a user interface provided on aremote controller, the remote controller having the display.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the predetermined humidity values aredetermined based on at least one of past user selections provided via auser interface, a season of year, an ambient temperature, or acomparison of all of the determined humidity values to each other. 17.The method of claim 14, wherein performing the humidity scan includes:repeatedly sensing the humidity; determining a difference between acurrent sensed humidity and a previous sensed humidity; comparing thedetermined difference to a predetermined error range; when thedetermined difference is within the predetermined error range for afirst predetermined time period, proceeding to the step of determiningthe average humidity value; and when the determined difference is notwithin the predetermined error range for a second predetermined timeperiod, stopping sensing for a third predetermined time period, andrepeating the step of repeatedly sensing the humidity after the thirdpredetermined time period.
 18. The method of claim 14, whereinperforming the drying operation includes operating at least one of a fanor a heater.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein performing the dryingoperation includes operating at least one fan to suction and dischargeair and at least one damper to control a region of the mattress whereair is supplied.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein performing thehumidity scan includes sensing a plurality of pressures using a pressuresensor sheet provided on the mattress.